Whilst it isn’t against the law to hit the road with your four-legged friend, there are a few things to take into consideration in order to ensure that nobody gets hurt. After all, pets are hardly the most predictable passengers. In fact, there are laws in place that drivers must follow. Here at V12 Sports and Classics we want to ensure that your feline, canine and anything in between are as safe as can be, which is why we have put together this short guide. Read on to find out more…

Dog Seat Belts

It is now possible to purchase specialist seatbelts for dogs in order to ensure that they are secure. After all, they are known to jump between the front and back seats, which can be incredibly distracting, especially for young or new drivers. By securing your pet with a special seat belt harness, you can ensure that you and your furry friend are safe in the event of an accident.

Hot Days

Whilst you should never leave your pets unattended in a vehicle, it is extremely dangerous to do so when the temperature is record breaking. After all, during the peak of summer the temperature inside a car can exceed 40°C and as this air circulates around, your pet will quickly struggle to breathe. In fact, cracking the window open is no exception either as it is not enough to ensure that there is enough available oxygen.

Carriers

According to section 57 of The Highway Code, all drivers must ‘make sure dogs and other animals are suitably restrained so they can’t cause a distraction or injure themselves’, and since dogs can be secured with harnesses, other pets like rabbits, cats and hamsters should be placed inside a carrier cage. This way they are unable to escape and cause you to take your mind off the road.

Almost three quarters of British drivers are unaware of the new motoring laws regarding animals that were quietly introduced earlier this year. After all, getting caught with an unrestrained pet can land you with a £2,500 fine and also invalidate your insurance contract which is why it is important to follow the highway code. Here at V12 Sports and Classics we always promote distraction free driving by encouraging those interested in our range of used cars to buckle up their pets at all times. Get in contact with your closest V12 dealership today to find out more information!