Drivers risk £2,500 fine for not buckling up pets as 21 million take to the roads this Easter

– £2,500 fine risk for not buckling up pets as

21 million take to the roads this Easter –

– More than a third (35%) of pet-owning motorists don’t restrain their pets while driving –

• Almost two thirds (64%) of UK motorists are unaware that driving with an unrestrained pet can be punished with £2,500 in fines(1).
• More than half (52%) of pet-owning drivers do not realise letting their pet loose in the car may invalidate their insurance.
• One in 10 (10%) drivers have had an accident while travelling in the car with a pet, or know someone who has.
• Go-to GUIDE advises how to keep dogs safe while travelling in the car this Easter Bank Holiday.
• One driver reported that their dog jumped out of the window while stationary at traffic lights, while another received a fine for letting their pooch climb to the front.

A surge in traffic is expected this Easter Bank Holiday as 21 million drivers are predicted to hit the roads2, but some motorists are risking £2,500 in fines1… for not buckling up their pets.

Undoubtedly, pets will be a popular companion on road trips this Easter weekend, but new research shows many drivers are failing to restrain their furry friends before setting off.

The research by Confused.com, the driver savings site, reveals a third (34%) of pet-owning motorists aren’t buckling up their four-legged travel companions when driving in the car. However, drivers might think twice about letting their pets loose if they were aware it could land them a hefty fine. Almost two thirds (64%) of UK drivers do not realise they could be punished with a £200 fine for driving without proper control of the car(3) and, in some cases, up to £2,500 for driving without due car and attention(1).

But the penalties don’t stop there. Drivers convicted of these offences may also receive up to nine points on their licence and could potential be disqualified from driving(4). And it could hit drivers where they least expect it when it comes to making a claim, as car insurance providers have the right to invalidate polices if drivers are distracted or not in control of the car in the event of an accident. Worryingly, more than half (52%) of pet-owning motorists are unaware of this.

The punishments for driving with an unrestrained pet are severe due to the potentially danger it can impose on the driver and other road users. In fact, one in 10 (10%) motorists have been in an accident while a pet was in the car, or know someone who has. It’s surprising these figures aren’t higher, almost a tenth (8%) of drivers have had to try and prevent an accident while they were travelling with their pet in the car. These actions include swerving, emergency braking or physically holding their pet down.

But it isn’t just drivers, passengers and other road users at risk when a loose pet roams about the car. In fact, not buckling up your dog, cat or other pet puts the animal itself in harm’s way. And with dogs proving to be the most popular driving companion (65%), Confused.com has created a go-to guide on how to keep them safe while travelling in the car, including tips for long journeys, and how to keep them calm while on the move.

Some drivers have landed themselves in a tricky situation due to leaving their pets roaming around their cars. One driver told us they lost their excitable dog out of the car window when stopped stationary at traffic lights after seeing children playing outside. Another found themselves on the receiving end of a fine after letting their pooch climb on to the front seat. And cats are equally as mischievous, with one driver reporting that their feline friend settled in the foot well beside the pedals after escaping from its box.

Worryingly, a number of drivers admit letting their pets loose in the car. In fact, more than one in 10 (11%) let their pet sit up front, or on the backseat without a restraint (9%). But some are being sensible, with more than a third (37%) putting them in a cage or carrier before setting off, while one in six (17%) use a specialist pet seatbelt or restraint.

Drivers who don’t buckle up their pets are in breach of the Highway Code, which states motorists should suitably restrain all animals while driving in the car in order to preserve their safety, as well as the safety of the driver, passengers and other road users(5). Effective methods of restraint, according to the Highway Code, include using a specialist seatbelt, shutting pets in a secure cage or carrier, or using a boot guard to separate pets from other passengers.

Clearly more needs to be done to educate pet owners about how to travel safely with their furry friends given two in five (39%) drivers take their pet in the car with them at least once a week. More than a third (36%) say they most frequently travel in the car with their pet in the car to the vets, while almost a third (32%) drive their pet to go to a walk. Most pet owners tend to stay fairly local when driving with their pet, as the average regular journey they take is just nine miles. Although nearly three in 10 (29%) drivers say they have taken their pet on journeys over 100 miles long. Those embarking on longer journeys should read Confused.com’s guide before setting off to make sure their pet has a safe and comfortable journey.

Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, says: “With 21 million drivers taking to the road this Easter, undoubtedly many will be joined by four-legged companions as they set off on trips across the UK. But drivers must restrain their dogs properly, or they could receive fines up to £2,500.

“Driving with an unrestrained pet can also invalidate your car insurance, meaning having to personally pay out for repairs in the event of a claim. Drivers should read our go-to guide to make sure they are complying with the law and keeping their pets as safe as possible.”