Sharp-eared listeners to the TTAC daily podcast know that Justin shares his life with a number of canine companions. Single-minded bastard that I am, I've never asked my colleague how many dogs are in situ (situ!), their names or occupations. But I do know that Justin's father is a veterinarian. So clearly, Justin's a dog person and a pistonhead. As such, Justin does not follow the piss-poor example of pop star princess Britney Spears. He doesn't drive with a dog on his lap. Now I know that a mini-rant on the dangers of driving with a domesticated pet perched on your private parts doesn't really qualify for TTAC's hard-edged tell-it-like-it is news, views and reviews coverage; but this really sticks in my proverbial craw. If your local state government can (and does) ban drivers from talking on their cell whilst automobiling, why would they let license holders pilot a couple of tons of metal with a simple-minded animal (sorry Rosie) between them and the car's major controls? Come to think of it, I wonder if our spiritual leader, ex-Car & Driver editor and part-time paramedic Stephen Wilkinson can tell us what happens when an airbag explodes into a dog sitting on a driver or passenger's lap? Or, more generally, what happens when a front seat passenger gets hit with an unsecured pet flying through the air at 50 or 60 mph? Seriously folks, get a pet seat belt. Or, potentially, die.
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…what happens when an airbag explodes into a dog sitting on a driver or passenger’s lap?
Think chestburster from the Alien movies, just backwards.
Refernce dogs on laps. I think it’s dangerous and foolish looking. (Who’s the dog and Who’s the master) As for states establishing laws for this act. We don’t need more laws. We need to enforce the laws that we currently have on the books.
Example: Here in Missouri, you could write a person a ticket for “Careless and Imprudent Driving” for having a dog on their lap while operating a motor vehicle.
RSMO 304.012 states, “Every person operating a motor vehicle on the roads and highways of this state shall drive the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner and at a rate of speed so as not to endanger the property of another or the life and limb of any person and shall exercise the highest degree of care”
C+I driving is an oldie, but goodie (Catch-all) charge for people that do bone-headed things while driving. Of course, we can charge em’ all day long with it, but will the Jugde do anything once it’s before the court???
DT
I had a neighbor who would tool around in her MB Gelaendewagen smoking a cigarette, talking on her cell phone, with her little dog sometimes in her lap, and at other times, bouncing around like a super-ball.
Fortunately, she moved far away.
Good for Justin, and good for his father. Veterinarians are among the best people there are.
Having logged tens of thousands of miles a year in a previous job, there are many other things that go on between the steering wheel and the driver’s seat that scare the buhjeebas out of me. Can there be a law that says just use common sense?
Yikes. UnFitney Spears is a danger to more than just her dogs. I am thinking her kids, herself, quality music, the reputation of trailer trash.
I just can’t understand why there are not more laws like in Missouri. And why they aren’t enforced. It just seems like common sense. Then again, one could look at it as social Darwinism.