The rationale is that dogs become projectiles in a car accident? How weird. Would probably carry more weight if it was geared towards dogs can be a distraction to safe driving - like texting, applying mascara or drinking hot coffee!

I think a law about putting on makeup while driving... although maybe it should just be a law for being stupid. :-) That would cover most anything people do on the road.

And a law to tell me what to drink, how to speak, what to eat... and on and on. Please, protect me from myself, I'm too stupid to think for myself so come up with a law for that too.

Geez...

Right Gail. I always get nervous when I see someone driving with a dog in their lap. The dog might take the driver's focus off the road or reduce their reaction time. And what about the pup? If there was an accident and the dog got hit by both the airbag and the driver? That certainly would NOT end well! I say keep them secured-- for their safety and yours.

I've always wished for a law to require pet owners to have their pets restrained. I'm always sick of being next to somebody that lets their dog hang their head out the window and bark at other cars. Then there are the little old ladies that have lap dogs that at stop signs you see the dog laying against the steering wheel only to fall off into the lap when the driver begins moving and swerving because of the added weight on the wheel.

As a parent of a young child I feel that if it's a law to restrain my self, and my child to keep us safe then there should be the same for any living rider in a car. I've seen pet owners care about their pets as though they are their children. Why don't they take the time to love their pet enough to restrain the pet while in the car to protect it in case of a crash?

I don't like the article's point that the pet becomes a projectile rather than being for the safety of the driver and the pet. The pet wouldn't be any more a projectile than the trash that is sitting in the console or on the front seat of most cars these days.

Restrain your pets people! It's just smart! Love your pets....keep them safe! Don't make the government tell you to do it....just be smart and do it yourself!

PS: my comment about "little old ladies" is just one point. It's really directed at anybody that allows a pet (big or small) to be anywhere near the driving portions of an automobile. Pets should stay out of the driver seat!

(I did not mean to offend any little old ladies....no little old ladies were hurt in the thoughts of this comment)

I saw a dog on the back of a pickup on 316 this weekend and it really bothered me. It wasn't restrained in any way. My thoughts were what if it jumped off, it would be in the middle of a busy highway. Maybe it's trained not too, but still, there's no predicting behavior in some instance. What if it's a male and an attractive poodle looking for love is in the area.

I don't really go for poodles though... ;-)

And I would never refer to you as a dog, Steve. :)

I hear Chihuahuas are the most aerodynamic...but I wouldn't know anything about that.

I tried seat belts. My dogs just got tangled up in them. They are a choking hazard. I have a barrier, from front to back seats. And a seat protector that keeps them from hitting the floor. It works.

I take my dogs for rides often and I can't imagine letting them hang far enough out a window to risk falling.

I saw someone driving recently with a Husky in the back seat of an SUV and the dog actually had its paws up on the window and its head and shoulders OUTSIDE THE CAR. I was terrified that this dog was going to fall out and I, being the person driving behind, would risk running it over. I stayed pretty far back and prayed for that poor dog.

My dogs get to hang their HEADS ONLY out of the windows and only at speeds below 45. Their eyes bug out otherwise and it freaks me out. And their jowls flap. Which is a pretty funny sight, but still. Every once in a while my little Boxer will crawl into the front passenger seat and lie down.

I added some pictures of my babies in the car. I love to show off my dogs. : )

And they are such beautiful babies Deanna!

I always take my dog in the car. When I drink too much, she drives us home. She has one seatbelt violation but only because the shoulder strap hurts her neck. The officer said she had to wear it regardless of whether it fit well or not since she was driving. Of course, she wouldn't have been pulled over at all if she had dimmed her lights to oncoming traffic.

I do understand why they're considering this law after seeing a large dog fly through the air past my windshield on 85. I was horrified, not just for myself but the poor dog. Traffic was heavy and it didn't stand a chance.

They make special harnesses for dogs so they don't get tangled in the seat belt. You can adjust the length so the dog has enough slack to stand up on the seat or stand up. My problem is one of my Jack Russells loves to chew the seat belt, so she has to be crated any time she's in the car. Talk about a projectile!

My dogs are too big for my cars.

Actually we can all take a lesson from the father of our next President and use a crate on top of the car for safe carriage of pets...or for our Democratic friends, a lesson from the father of our sitting President and transport pets in a cooler for a delicious mid-trip snack.

@Brian - At least he didn't hold the dog down and shave his hair ...

David, that photo is priceless. Please upload it here and we will feature it! And no, that wouldn't be me. (Note to self, if ever on Hamilton Parkway again, wear a mask!).

I can see vehicular dogslaughter becoming a law anytime now. :)

Hey, we can at least all agree that Romney did not EAT the dog.

You can buy seat belt accessories for your dogs at www.wallyboypetproducts.com.