The Real Risk of Letting Dogs Ride Unrestrained

Imagine this: You’re cruising at 35 mph with your dog sitting freely in the backseat. Suddenly, you need to slam on the brakes. In that moment, your 30-pound dog becomes a projectile, hurtling forward with the force of over 1,000 pounds. The outcome could be catastrophic—not just for your dog, but for you and your passengers.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), over 80% of dog owners drive with their pets in the car but only 16% use any form of pet restraint. The lack of proper safety gear leads to injuries every year. Even more alarming, in some areas, allowing pets to ride unrestrained is a violation of traffic laws. In states like New Jersey and Hawaii, you can be ticketed for driving with an unrestrained pet.

But even where it’s not legally required, restraining your dog should be a non-negotiable safety habit. It’s no different than putting on your seatbelt.