Driving with a dog in your car could land you with a £5,000 fine

Get that pooch in a safe position

As summer fast approaches, Brits could face fines of up to £5,000 if they choose to drive with their dog unrestrained in their car. According to research from The Dogs Trust, 60 per cent of UK drivers think it's okay to drive with their pet unrestrained in the front seat. However doing so could endanger the lives of other road users and those found guilty could be hit with a hefty fine. Code 57 of the Highway Code states that animals should be "suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves if you stop quickly." Devices suitable for the task include seat belt harnesses, pet carriers, dog cages and dog guards. [caption id="attachment_342216" align="alignnone" width="2048"]

Via Unsplash[/caption] Such security measures can be purchased from most pet shops or online through sites like Amazon. If drivers are found to be in breach of the rules, they could be hit with an immediate fine of £1,000, with the maximum fine totalling £5,000. "Having your dog loose in the car can cause both them and you serious harm. Not only can it be very distracting, in the event of a crash, a loose dog flying through the air could be fatal," said Founder of Choose My Car, Nick Zapolski. "The safest option is to have your dog belted into the back seat, as the passenger seat airbags could also cause your pooch serious harm in the event of an accident. The belts are inexpensive to buy, and simple to use." [caption id="attachment_342215" align="alignnone" width="2048"]

Via Unsplash[/caption] He added: "Most of all, they will keep you and your dog safe, while saving you from the serious implications of breaking the Highway Code."