Pets

[trevskoda]

Are you sure about what you have written Trev.?

Although it is always advisable:- Rule 58 of the Highway Code deals with travelling with pets and states:

“When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.”

Although the Highway Code states this, is there actually a law covering this point, I don't think so?

Phil

The police will pull you here for it if spotted.
Do try reading all of it as regards danger driving,thats how they enforce it.

 

[jeanette]

All the law says is that it must be restrained,most folk here use a guard in est cars or l/rovers,i have seen nutters with dogs hanging out windows in front seats but there taking a chance with there license & insurance should they have a acc.
All it takes is a simple eye hook bolted through the floor with a spreader plate under it,the type used on t/bars will be the job,cost little.

We have a harness for the car trev clipped into the seat belt but we only have the two front seats in the van,so we’re going to have to sort something out,we have a cage we can put her in and she’s comfortable inside it but we would like her to be out but at the same time safely restrained in the van,

 

[trevskoda]

We have a harness for the car trev clipped into the seat belt but we only have the two front seats in the van,so we’re going to have to sort something out,we have a cage we can put her in and she’s comfortable inside it but we would like her to be out but at the same time safely restrained in the van,

Good idea,the bit that i always think about is the dog going out the wind shield or breaking someones neck in a crash,remember any loose items including spare wheels jacks, tools, s/pans, m/wave etc not bolted down is a missile.:danger:

 

[Biggarmac]

My little dog sits on the front seat attached to the seatbelt. If there is anyone sitting on the seat she sits on their knee attached to the seat belt they are using.

 

[Sharon the Cat]

Here are the regs

Suitably restrained is a bit different from your must be in a crate Trev.

We only have seat belts in the front but haven't travelled with Sparky in this van yet. As a minimum if we do not have something sorted he would sit on my lap with a harness secured to my seat belt. I wouldn't carry a dog without something to stop them hitting the windscreen/furniture/passengers etc. at 30mph+.

 

[trevskoda]

Suitably restrained is a bit different from your must be in a crate Trev.

We only have seat belts in the front but haven't travelled with Sparky in this van yet. As a minimum if we do not have something sorted he would sit on my lap with a harness secured to my seat belt. I wouldn't carry a dog without something to stop them hitting the windscreen/furniture/passengers etc. at 30mph+.

I have a cat box for taking mine to the VET,now i hear a billy conolly song in my head.

 

[jeanette]

We haven’t travelled with ours in this van and she’s slightly to big and heavy to sit on my knees and she’s not very comfortable even though she doesn’t look very big or heavy

 

[jeanette]

trev this is the front of our van and as you can see it’s only got two travelling seats

 

[Drover]

I'm with others on this,
There is no law in the UK stating dogs or pets must be restrained in a vehicle.
There is however laws in other eu countries stating they must be in cages or belts.

 

[yorkslass]

I'm lucky. As soon as the engine starts mine goes behind the drivers seat and doesn't come out till the engine stops.

 

[trevskoda]

My dog liked to travel standing up between the front seats, sniffing the air out of the dashboard vent and looking out through the windscreen. If he got bored of that, there was a padded rug between the seats that he could lie down on, and a cot mattress under the table he could go to bed on.

He never travelled sitting: only standing up or lying down. He never explained why.

He was "suitably restrained": he would not go anywhere in the way of the driver because he knew he wasn't allowed to.

So in the event of a crash what happens to fido.

 

[jeanette]

I'm lucky. As soon as the engine starts mine goes behind the drivers seat and doesn't come out till the engine stops.

We’re hoping ours is similar Sue because that’s what she does in the car she just lies down and sleeps until we stop! But for the van if we can’t find anything suitable she will have to lie in between the seats I think,because there is nowhere else for her to sit/sleep

 

[shaunr68]

So in the event of a crash what happens to fido.

He hits the dash I expect Trev, same with my dog Eric and the same with me since I rarely wear a seatbelt unless I see plod around. He's been to 33 countries and has always travelled untethered, either on the missus' lap or more recently on our lad's adventure, on his cushion on the passenger seat. I drive the MH like an old woman and if we end up in a crash it will with any luck be a low velocity one!

 

[Deleted member 5816]

It amazes me that you dare to admit this on line it is so obvious you have no respect for other road uses, worse still any passengers or family that may travel with you.


Alf

He hits the dash I expect Trev, same with my dog Eric and the same with me since I rarely wear a seatbelt unless I see plod around. He's been to 33 countries and has always travelled untethered, either on the missus' lap or more recently on our lad's adventure, on his cushion on the passenger seat. I drive the MH like an old woman and if we end up in a crash it will with any luck be a low velocity one!

 

[shaunr68]

It amazes me that you dare to admit this on line it is so obvious you have no respect for other road uses, worse still any passengers or family that may travel with you.


Alf

Be amazed Alf. Life is full of risks. I'm far more concerned about the risk of him being attacked by another dog while out walking than I am about him being hurt in an accident. What exactly is the risk to passengers and family?

 

[Deleted member 5816]

Nothing to do with your dog the fact you say you don't wear a seat belt gives to me away your attitude to your driving

Alf

Be amazed Alf. Life is full of risks. I'm far more concerned about the risk of him being attacked by another dog while out walking than I am about him being hurt in an accident. What exactly is the risk to passengers and family?

 

[shaunr68]

Thanks Hairydog, fair enough, it's a calculated risk and a miniscule one at that. In line with your driving history above I've driven around 30,000 miles across the continent and I'd estimate a million miles over 33 years UK driving and have never had so much as a shunt "sufficient to even bruise a hamster". I should clarify that I do wear a belt on the motorway or in heavy traffic but not while tootling down country lanes. Life is full of risks and I consider this one to be small enough as to not be overly concerned about it.

 

[trevskoda]

He hits the dash I expect Trev, same with my dog Eric and the same with me since I rarely wear a seatbelt unless I see plod around. He's been to 33 countries and has always travelled untethered, either on the missus' lap or more recently on our lad's adventure, on his cushion on the passenger seat. I drive the MH like an old woman and if we end up in a crash it will with any luck be a low velocity one!

I seen two cars hit each other at 40mph each,the driver went through windshield and then through the other car shield hitting the passenger in the face,not a prity sight,i do hope you reconsider wearing a belt,remember no insurance co will cover you if not,apart from the fact you are bonkers.

 

[wildebus]

Sorry, but I think you are make my a huge mistake.

Yes, the chance of a serious crash is small, but the damage would be horrendous. Seatbelts are not much of a trouble - or should not be. After all, you are sitting in the seat. Why not do the belt up?

I don't really understand the idea of thinking "I'll put it on on the Motorway, but won't bother on country roads" :rolleyes2:

the "Clunk Clink, Every Trip" films were pretty good to get seat belts used by the dinosaurs of the road (as opposed to the Knights of the road )
Just because the Presenter turned out to be a total scumbag doesn't lessen the point made in the film
[video=youtube;XzcprRXkdpg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzcprRXkdpg]YouTube[/video]


Personally, when it comes to driving, I just don't feel comfortable without a seatbelt on. Nothing to do with feeling unsafe, but it is such an automatic reflex after many decades of driving of just "get in car. put on seatbelt" that driving without is just awkward.

 

[shaunr68]

Well fairy nuff fellas, I should have expected a lecture

I do hope that none of you smoke, drink too much, have an unhealthy diet, ride a bike motorised or otherwise, or participate in dangerous sports