Is driving with a dog on your lap illegal........

[birdiesunshine]

or just stupid? Or both?!?!

When I see these people driving it makes me want to scream. How do you have control of your car with an animal in your face??

 

[DISshopkeeper]

It should be!!

 

[HollyJoy]

If it isn't, it ought to be! I would think that it would be very distracting to have an animal sitting on your lap while you're driving!

 

[FroggyinArk]

i believe in some states this is considered driving while distracted, or distracted operation ,, and is a ticketable offense, but not in all ,, it should be,, in my veiw, ( granted its a bit limited now) anyhting that takes your concentration from the road is a criminal offense

 

[cgcw]

Many years ago (probably 30) my mom was pulled over for having our miniature poodle in her lap while she was driving. While she didn't get a ticket, the officer did inquire as to where the dogs drivers license was.

That was the end of the dog seeing out the window.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

I've driven with my Maltese in my lap. Against my will. It was literally the only way she would curl up and lie down. I cannot put her in a bag or crate her or she will cry, whine, throw up, and mess the bag....which sort of negates the point of taking her in the car (we are usually going to the groomers). If I put her on the seat next to me she will climb over everything to get in my lap.

I don't like to do it, but when I'm the only one in the car, it is far more of a distraction to have her anywhere but my lap.

 

[Mad4Mickey]

I am more worried about girls putting makeup on while driving . I see it everyday on my way to work . Or people drinking coffee and smoking at the same time with a cell ohone on their shoulder .

BTW I do drive with my dog to work everyday but he has a dog car seat or he rides in the back where he will be safe .

 

[Antonia]

Where so you get a dog car seat? I really need one. It is terrible driving with my poodle. He thinks he can drive also. Usually we go about two miles to my parents house - thank God it is a rural area.
Can the dog still see out the window when in the car seat? That is his main purpose on getting on my lap - sort of a booster seat effect too see out the window.

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by Mad4Mickey
I am more worried about girls putting makeup on while driving . I see it everyday on my way to work . Or people drinking coffee and smoking at the same time with a cell ohone on their shoulder .

.

The makeup makes me crazy to! I have also seen guys shaving with electric razors and reading the newspaper while driving!! My dog is a pest in the car and would beon my lap but I usually bring someone to hold him in the back seat so he doesn't bother me when we go to the vet and when he gets groomed they pick him up and bring him home so I don't have to bother putting him in my car then.

 

[Lars624]

My dog always tries to get in my lap in the car when we are on our way home from the groomer......it's like it makes him mad that I took him to the groomer.....when I pick him up he barks at mefor about 2 minutes & then climbs in my lap....I have to get him down before I start driving

Last week I saw a woman driving her car while talking on a cell pone, holding a plate in one hand & a fork in the other eating her lunch.... I'm not sure what she was steering with?? Her knee maybe she was on a busy road too!

 

[Pop Daddy]

guilty as charged

 

[Serena]

How about a gigantic puppy in the back seat that loves to sniff your hair?

Everything is a distraction. You just have to be careful.

 

[MeanLaureen]

Guilty

Although you will laugh at how I did it.

We would take Reilly to the nursing home every day to visit my mom (and the other patients because he became quite an attraction - people would wait for him). Matt would meet me there after work with Reilly so we would have seperate cars.

Reilly would ride home with me. He likes being able to see out the window so I would sit him in my lap in a sitting up/begging position and buckle him in with me using the seat belt. He was happy as a clam (since when are clams happy?) He could get a good view and I had both hands free to drive with.

Have to admit it's stupid but did get quite a few smiles at stop lights

 

[EsmeraldaX]

It should be. I think it varies from state to state. I know a lot of states have animal car safety laws that require dogs , cats and ferrets to be strapped in if you are driving (by strapped in I think you could probably just tie their leash to the seat belt etc.)

I would never drive with Monty dog on my lap. First off, it would be unsafe for him. But it is also unsafe for everyone else, including me, my passengers and others on the road.

 

[Annette_VA]

I was behind a guy once who had his dog in his lap & the window open. The dog jumped out of the window! The guy slammed on the brakes & jumped out of the car to get the dog. I came thisclose to hitting his car. He's darn lucky he or the dog didn't get hit.

 

[beattyfamily]

Guilty too...

What really bugs me and angers me is when people put their dogs in the back of their pick up truck!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[izzy]

Originally posted by beattyfamily
What really bugs me and angers me is when people put their dogs in the back of their pick up truck!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was just getting ready to say the same thing, too! This is SO dangerous, for both the dog and the people driving behind the pickup truck. I'm always scared the dog is going to jump out or be thrown out if the driver has to slam on the brakes. While I don't want to hit anyone's dog, I also don't want to have to swerve off the road (or into oncoming traffic) to avoid hitting it.

 

[Feralpeg]

While I don't think it is a very smart thing to do, I have less of problem with that then with people who let their little pets lean out the window of moving cars or ride unrestrained in the back of a pickup. I just can't understand why they don't see the danger in this. It would only take a sudden stop and their beloved pets would go flying. I just don't get it!

 

[WeirdEyes]

I am guilty of this also. I try to make my dog stay in the passenger seat, but he always whines and ends up in my lap. I think I will try to tie his leash to the seatbelt next trip to the groomers. That is a good idea!

One day I was coming home from work on a busy Interstate (freeway) and in front of me was a truck with a crate full of Beagle puppies. The gate on the crate had come open and the puppies were inching out of it. The tailgate was down and the crate was on the edge. All I could picture was little Beagle puppies splattered all over the Interstate. I got around to the side of the truck, honked my horn, and when he FINALLY acknowledged I was trying to get his attention, I told him his puppies were loose. I also hate seeing dogs roaming free in the back of a truck. It makes me so nervous.

 

[canwegosoon]

I love the ones that have a dog on their lap,hanging out the window restricting their view, AND are talking on their cell phone