**Dog Owners Urged to Address Critical Car Safety Oversight**
As summer approaches and families embark on road trips with their beloved pets, experts are sounding the alarm on a widespread but often-overlooked safety risk for dogs travelling in cars. Despite the rising popularity of dog-friendly staycations, many pet owners remain unaware of a simple precaution that could spare lives and prevent serious injuries in the event of an accident.
Kazimieras Urbonas, a vehicle safety specialist and supplier excellence manager at Ovoko, has highlighted the hazards posed by unrestrained dogs travelling in cars. According to Mr Urbonas, far too many motorists neglect the importance of properly securing their animals, inadvertently putting every occupant at risk. “Most drivers simply don’t appreciate the force an unrestrained animal can become during an impact,” he warned.
To illustrate the point, he explained that a medium-sized dog weighing around 20kg can, in a collision at merely 30mph, exert a “projectile force” equivalent to half a tonne. This transformation of a beloved pet into a danger for everyone inside the vehicle is a chilling prospect—one that can be prevented by the use of suitable safety equipment. Mr Urbonas urged all dog owners to consider two key solutions: a certified pet harness that attaches directly to the car’s seatbelt system, or a robust partition barrier that keeps the dog contained in the rear compartment.
He recounted harrowing incidents where even minor crashes had catastrophic consequences, with animals being thrown from vehicles. “It’s not only high-speed collisions. In many cases, dogs have been ejected from the car during routine journeys because they were not secured,” Mr Urbonas said. Beyond outright accidents, there is the persistent risk of driver distraction. Dogs moving around or excitedly jumping at windows can divert attention at critical moments, sometimes with tragic results.
The expert stressed that the installation of restraint systems is both affordable and straightforward, often surprising vehicle owners with how rapidly they can enhance safety. Harnesses designed for pets typically fasten into regular seatbelt slots, requiring little to no technical skill. Partition barriers, meanwhile, are intended to fit easily in the boot area, effectively keeping animals out of passenger zones without needing complex tools. Reliable harnesses can be purchased from approximately £13, while sturdy barriers usually retail from £30—an insignificant price for peace of mind.
A particularly prevalent misconception among motorists, Mr Urbonas noted, is that such measures are superfluous on short journeys around town. Yet, research and accident statistics confirm that some of the most severe incidents occur during these seemingly low-risk trips, when drivers are at their most complacent and pets are frequently unrestrained. “All it takes is for a dog to see another animal and dart forward, and the driver’s reaction could lead to disaster,” he added.
The veterinary community has increasingly raised concerns, as clinicians have witnessed a worrying rise in injuries that could have been avoided through proper restraint. These include fractures, internal trauma, and even fatalities—preventable with the use of a simple harness. “It’s heart-breaking to treat animals harmed in situations where an affordable safety device could have changed everything,” said one local veterinary nurse, echoing the calls for greater awareness.
Automotive manufacturers are beginning to respond, integrating pet safety considerations into new vehicle designs. Nevertheless, responsibility ultimately rests with individual owners to ensure their pets are secure on every journey. Industry insiders remind the public that the physics of motion apply regardless of species: an unrestrained object, whether person or pet, will continue forwards at the same speed as the car during sudden stops or impacts.
The appeal for action is not new. Professional drivers and members of the emergency services have advocated for improved pet safety in vehicles for years. With more families than ever including dogs in their travel plans, experts insist it’s time for all motorists to take these warnings seriously and adopt simple, inexpensive measures to protect both their pets and themselves.