Washington Drivers Find Pets More Distracting than Kids

SEATTLE, July 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwesterners are known for their love of furry companions, but the latest poll from PEMCO Insurance finds that Washington residents think pet passengers pose a greater distraction for drivers than kids in the car. Still, about half of drivers across the Northwest admit they've driven with unrestrained animals, which can have serious consequences for pets, owners and fellow drivers alike.

The PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll finds that 43 percent of drivers in Washington think it's more distracting to drive with barking, licking and tail-chasing pets than it is to commute with rambunctious kids. That's compared to about one-third of respondents (34 percent) who think children are the greater distraction. The same sentiment isn't true in Oregon – drivers there find kids and fur babies equally distracting.

Nevertheless, about half of Northwest drivers (52 percent) admit they've driven with an unrestrained pet in the car at some point, and about a third (34 percent) say they've allowed a pet to roam the vehicle freely or even sit on their lap while driving.

"There's no question we love our pets here in the Northwest. That's why we were surprised to learn that so many Northwest drivers put themselves and their four-legged friends at risk by driving with unrestrained pets in the car," said PEMCO spokesperson Derek Wing.

Unlike talking on a cellphone, driving with an unrestrained pet is legal in the Northwest, but the consequences of distraction are surely heightened when fur balls freely roam – pets and drivers are at risk of injury or worse if animals are unrestrained in an accident.

"In a 30-mile-per-hour crash, a 60-pound dog can slam into you with 2,700 pounds of force – enough to cause severe damage to you and your precious pet. So just like humans, pets need their own special seat belts and other protections to keep everyone as safe as possible on the road," Wing added.

PEMCO recommends following these tips to keep pets and drivers safe when hitting the road:

• Restrain your pet. A well-ventilated carrier that's buckled-in prevents injury to drivers, passengers, and pets. A dog safety harness that attaches to a vehicle's rear seat belt is another safe solution.
• The backseat is best. Because pets face the same front-seat injury dangers as a small child, pets are safest in the back seat - especially when using a harness.
• Keep heads inside the vehicle. Feeling the wind in their fur can come at a high cost – not only can pets suffer injuries from flying road debris (even insects can seriously wound a dog's eyes), they can develop respiratory trouble from forcing cold air into their lungs.
• No riding in pickup beds. While it may be legal in some areas, it's still a bad idea. In a serious crash, even a crated dog has minimal protection.
• Talk to a vet. A veterinarian may be able to suggest ways to ease the trip for any beloved cats or loyal dogs who aren't happy travelers.

For a complete summary of PEMCO's poll results, visit www.pemco.com/poll, where you'll find the responses collected by FBK Research of Seattle in November 2016.

About the PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll
PEMCO Insurance commissioned this independent survey, conducted by FBK Research of Seattle, that asked Washington and Oregon residents questions about driving habits and attitudes toward current Northwest issues. The sample size, 600 respondents in Washington and 600 in Oregon, yields an accuracy of +/- 4.1 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. In other words, if this study were conducted 100 times, in 95 instances the data will not vary by more than the associated error range.

About PEMCO Insurance
PEMCO Insurance is a true Northwest company providing auto, home, and boat insurance to our neighbors since 1949. Consistently ranked highest in customer satisfaction, people are the heart of our business. They can depend on us to anticipate and support their changing needs. PEMCO is committed to serving organizations that positively impact our local communities. We were started by a Seattle schoolteacher and stay true to our roots by focusing on nonprofits and organizations that support youth, education, and public safety. To learn more, visit www.pemco.com.

CONTACTS:

Derek Wing
PEMCO Insurance
206.628.4622
[email protected]

Kristi Herriott
Firmani + Associates Inc.
206.443.9357
[email protected]

SOURCE PEMCO Insurance

Related Links

http://www.pemco.com