• It may be tempting to drive with your dog in the front seat this summer.
• But, doing so might result in a £5,000 fine.
• More than half of drivers believe it is OK to drive with their pet by their side unrestrained.

While it may be tempting to drive with your dog in the front seat this summer, doing so might result in a £5,000 fine.

More than half of drivers believe it is OK to drive with their pet by their side unrestrained.

Animals should be ‘suitably secured,’ according to the Highway Code, to avoid distracting you and causing harm if you come to an abrupt halt.

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‘A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage, or dog guard are ways of safely restraining animals in cars,’ according to the law.

You risk not just a hefty fine, but also nine points on your license and perhaps a driving restriction with a mandatory retest.

‘Having your dog loose in the car can cause major harm to both them and you,’ said Nick Zapolski, founder of Choose My Car.

‘Not only can it be incredibly distracting, but a loose dog flying through the air in the case of a crash might be lethal.’

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‘Having your dog secured into the back seat is the safest alternative, as the passenger seat airbags could inflict catastrophic injury to your canine in the event of an accident. The belts are inexpensive to purchase and easy to operate.

‘Most importantly, they will keep you and your dog safe while avoiding the severe consequences of violating the Highway Code.’

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