Dogs and Idaho Distracted Driving

Texting while driving is not the only form of distracted driving endangering U.S. drivers. According to a 2011 survey released by AAA and pet travel product company Kurgo, 65 percent of dog owners admit to distracted driving while driving with their dogs.

From petting and feeding their dogs to restricting the dogs in some way while driving, people are taking their eyes off the road and brains off the task of driving safely.

Why does this matter? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Idaho Transportation Department, approximately 20 percent of all serious car accidents in 2009 were caused at least in part by distracted driving. In fact, taking one's eyes off the road for just two seconds can double the risk of a car crash.

In Idaho, distracted driving played a part in 193 fatal car crashes and 1,316 serious injury accidents between 2007 and 2009. Those car accidents led to 211 deaths and 1,697 serious injuries. Boise distracted driving accident lawyers, government officials, safety groups and others throughout Idaho have worked to increase awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, but distracted driving accidents continue to take lives.

While there are no current statistics on how many distracted driving crashes are caused by driving with dogs, any form of distraction puts you and everyone else on the road at risk. AAA and Kurgo recommend using a pet restraint to reduce distraction.

If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed by a distracted driver - whether the distracted driver was using a cell phone while driving or petting a dog - talk to a Boise distracted driving attorney about recovering compensation through a personal injury claim.

Source: AAA, "Doggie Distractions Fact Sheet"