Do you drive with your dog in your lap?

The two best reasons to keep your dog in the backseat

Minimizing Distractions

A driver in Beaverton, Oregon is fighting a $160 citation issued by a police officer who spotted her driving with her dog on her lap.

There is no specific Oregon law regarding operating a motor vehicle with a pet on your lap. In this case, the officer issued a ticket for “Operating vehicle that is loaded or equipped to obstruct driver”, § 815.270.

An animal in your lap is an inherent distraction. But for pet lovers, there may be a more convincing argument against driving a car with a dog in your lap.

Airbags

As an injury lawyer, I have seen many photos of bad car accidents. Hopefully, you have never seen what happens when an airbag deploys.

Airbags are designed to protect you from brain, head, and face injuries. They deploy very quickly and with a great deal of force.

Imagine what happens when an airbag deploys to protect a driver during a crash – and in between the driver and the steering wheel sits a small dog.

If you travel with your pets in the car, please keep them in back, preferably restrained. Do it because you want to be a safe, fully engaged driver – and because you want to protect your pet.

About the Author

Tom D'Amore is the founder of D'Amore Law Group and a trial attorney with over 30 years of experience representing injured people and their families across the West Coast, securing more than $325 million in recoveries. He handles cases involving car accidents, trucking accidents, construction injuries, medical malpractice, and sexual abuse. Licensed in Oregon, Washington, and California, Tom is the only NBTA board-certified truck accident attorney in Oregon. He is a national Board of Governors member, past Executive Committee member, and past Budget and Audit Chair of the American Association for Justice, as well as past President of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association and an Eagle member of the Washington State Association for Justice.