Driving with your dog has the potential to be very dangerous. Selective Insurance did a study on distracted driving and found that 91% of licensed drivers traveling streets and highways with Fido or Fifi have interacted with them while moving down the road.
There’s more:
- 40% say they’ve driven recklessly because of interacting with their dog
- 9% say they’ve gotten into a crash because of an interaction with their dog
Selective Insurance director of safety management, Scott Smith said distracted dog driving has included drivers taking their hands off the wheel or their eyes off the road, or both, while traveling with their dog.
- 36% gave their dog food, water or a treat
- 40% talked to the animal or yelled at them
- 27% say they’ve taken photos or a video of their dogs while driving
- 23% admit to having to hold their pet in place while they were driving
There’s more:
- 70% said their dog was not restrained while they were driving
- At the same time, 82% say it’s important to restrain a dog in a moving vehicle
Driving with Fido or Fifi in the auto leads to these kinds of distractions:
- 16% said they aren’t aware of other autos around them
- 13% said it caused them to brake hard
- 11% said they were forced to swerve
If you’re an employer, this is even more disconcerting. Smith said 61% of those surveyed said they took their dog for a ride while working. Some have taken the pooch out several times.
“We were surprised to learn how frequently K-9s accompany drivers while they are on the clock,” Smith said. “Employers may need to consider additional distracted driving training and modifications to corporate policies and their fleet safety programs to address pets in vehicles during work hours.”
Smith said their poll included over 2,000 adults. The totals showed some interesting differences between the various generations.
- 73% of Generation Z (born 1997 to 2012) are likely to take their dog with them on a drive while working
- 78% of millennials (born 1981 to 1996) are likely to take their dog with them on a drive while working
- 56% of Generation X (born 1965 to 1980) are likely to take their dog with them on a drive while working
- Just 33% of Baby Boomers (born 1946 to 1964) will do the same
Source link: Insurance Business America — https://bit.ly/3HFgxVY
