Dog Safety in Vehicles
Throughout our lives, we’ve been taught and reminded about the importance of being safe inside vehicles – use the seatbelt, don’t leave children inside the car, etc. However, one topic that is not addressed very often is the safety of beloved dogs when riding with us in the car. Austin is one of the friendliest cities for dogs – it seems like just about everyone here has a four-legged sidekick. Therefore, as one of the leading Honda car dealerships in Austin, we want you and your dog(s) to be safe when riding around town.
First advice: don’t carry your dog on your lap – it can interfere with steering and distract the driver. Additionally, in the unfortunate event of a crash, the dog can suffocate, be crushed by the airbag or get thrown on to the windshield.
Use a harness and a seatbelt. Many, we would even dare to say most, drivers command their dogs to jump and leave them to roam freely in the front or back seat. This is dangerous for the dog, as well as for any passenger. A low-speed car accident can cause all kinds of injuries in dogs depending in what surface they hit; they can suffer broken bones, eye injuries or be thrown out of the car. The best restraint is a good-quality, properly fitted harness and seatbelt.
In a story released by USA Today, an AAA official says that an unrestrained dog will exert its weight multiplied by the miles per hour the car was driving during a crash; so an accident at 30mph will place the impact of an unrestrained 80-pound dog at 2,400 pounds of force.
Last piece of advice; don’t let your dog ride with its head out the window. Airborne debris can injure a dog’s eyes, nose, ears, mouth and face.
At Howdy Honda, we care about the safety of our customers and everyone they love (dogs included), so we encourage those who are dog owners to take proper measures during car rides. As always, dogs are welcomed at Howdy Honda, the friendliest car dealership in Austin.
Secret: We even have some dog treats at the Express Service counter (ask for Jacob).
Tags: austin honda, dog safety, honda austin, honda car dealership austin
