Car Seatbelts - origins of dog car safety

As the popularity of cars increased a growing need was recognised to improve the safety of vehicles for those that drove them. Following an increase in car fatalities it was recognised that there was an important need to introduce a car safety mechanism to reduce such tragedies. Seatbelt legislation for cars was introduced in the UK as far back as 1967.

Initially car seat belts were only required to be fitted to the front offside positions of cars. These car seat belts therefore only offered protection to the driver of the vehicle and any other passenger was left at risk. It was not until much later that it was identified that passengers also needed equal protection. Passengers together with other unsecured items in the car became dangerous projectiles when involved in an accident or emergency stop. These projectiles posed a serious risk to anyone in the vehicle.

Unsecured dogs pose a safety risk

Following the recognition of the risks imposed by projectiles being thrown forward from the rear of the vehicle, legislation was past for the introduction of rear seat belts which must be worn by passengers at all times.

It was at this point that it became apparent that there was a clear need to secure animals being transported by vehicle. This was not only for the safety of people in the car but also to protect the animal from injury during any unfortunate accident or sudden stop.

Dog Seatbelts make safer drivers

When we set off on a journey in our car we never know what we may encounter or see. Many such things can distract not only us but also our dog passenger. On hot summer days it may be that we have the window open or the top down on the car. Collisions are therefore not the only risk that we face with a canine passenger. We may drive past other dogs, cats, squirrels, children playing with balls and a multitude of other doggy temptations. With the window or top down and no dog seat belt fitted, the risk of the dog distracting the driver or leaping from the car is high. We do not need to run that risk as a driver by simply securing our pet in a dog seat belt or some other alternative dog safety device.

Dog Seatbelts - the development and introduction

The development and introduction of dog seat belts was soon established following the recognition and need for a safe driving environment. Dog seatbelts and other acceptable alternatives are now used without question by all responsible dog owners. Car seat belts and such alternatives should also be used by any other driver carrying a dog in their car.

Dog Seatbelts and Car Safety

The dog seat belt is not the only method of protecting occupants of the car and your pet dog. Together with the development and availability of many dog seat belts, there are also other dog safety options. The further development of the dog car harness together with dog transport containers such as the dog cage, dog crate and dog pod offer dog owners a wealth of choice when considering dog car safety. All of these products provide an acceptable means of securing dogs into a car.

Dog seatbelt, Dog car harness or Dog transport container?

The main considerations when choosing between a dog seat belt, dog car harness or dog container are size and dirt.

It is obviously far easier to contain any mud, wet and dog hairs in a dog crate or other transport container than on the rear seat of your car. Such a container can easily be sectioned off in the rear of the vehicle and removed at the end of the journey for cleaning. Dog crates are however not always an option for dog owners with larger dogs and smaller cars. In such instances a car seat belt may be the only option. You can of course always protect the interior of your car with a car seat cover if you choose to use a dog seatbelt. At the end of the day it is all down to the practicality of space in the car, vehicle pride and personal preference which method you choose. Whichever choice you make they all provide you with one common factor, Safe and responsible driving for you and your dog!

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