Driving distractions include animals

There is a driving distraction law in the state of Washington. The main thing is for using any handheld electronic device. But I’ve noticed people driving down the road with pets in their lap.

There is more to this distraction law which is secondary, but you can still be stopped and even ticketed for it. Having your pet on your lap is considered a distraction.

If your pet decides to move around, making it impossible to see what is happening in your vision, or if it causes a control issue resulting in an accident, then you will not only be ticketed, but your pet will be injured or killed by the air bag in the steering wheel (if so equipped).

You don’t have a child in your lap when you drive. Your child is normally put into a child seat in the rear (if so equipped). Your pet, no matter what size, should be restrained in the rear seat either in a cage or in a harness hooked to the rear seatbelts (unless you don’t have a rear seat, then put on the front seat). This is so your pet doesn’t become a projectile, going through a window or front windshield.

A few days ago I was traveling to town when someone in a Ford pickup pulled out in front of me while their pet was blocking their view to see if anyone was coming. No accident happened, but if their pet had been restrained they would have seen me coming.

So if you really love your pet and have to bring it everywhere you travel, please put it in the back seat or in a cage to keep it safe.

Also, the weather is changing. If you have to bring your pet with you, make sure you don’t leave it in a vehicle with the windows up. A vehicle is like an oven in the sunlight. It can cook the animal’s brain in less than 15 minutes of direct sunlight unless there is enough ventilation in your vehicle.

Just be safe out there!

Bob Zink

Aberdeen