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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think driving with a dog on your lap should be illegal?

37 replies

CheeseCrackersAndWine · 21/04/2017 11:31

Just called Police Scotland as some one has a house guest staying with them in our street who is constantly driving with their dog on their lap only to be told this isn't illegal?! And unless they are driving dangerously it's totally fine...

So AIBU to think this should be illegal?

OP posts:
haveacupoftea · 21/04/2017 11:33

What kind of dog is it? Just so I can get a good mental picture Grin

pleasecomesoonspring · 21/04/2017 11:35

I saw someone driving the other day brushing their teeth? Really odd!

Original poster
CheeseCrackersAndWine · 21/04/2017 11:35

It's a pug I think. It's sitting there looking out the window, licking their face etc Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
CheeseCrackersAndWine · 21/04/2017 11:36

Brushing their teeth?! WOW...

OP posts:
pleasecomesoonspring · 21/04/2017 11:37

I guess if the dog is small like a pug and sits still, not restricting movement or sight then it's not too much of an issue

pleasecomesoonspring · 21/04/2017 11:38

I know they were foaming with toothpaste. Never seen anything like it before.

Original poster
CheeseCrackersAndWine · 21/04/2017 11:38

Really?! A live, unpredictable animal sitting on the drivers knee? What if it was to jump/fall into the foot well or move at the wrong time and hamper the drivers ability to steer properly?

OP posts:
Justmadeperfectflapjacks · 21/04/2017 11:39

When I was doing the school run years ago I hear the most awful dog howling I have ever heard. .
An elderly man had pulled his car onto the path with his hazards on.

He had 3 large dogs in the car and 1 had its head jammed half way through the electric window. .
The system had jammed and he couldn't open it. He sat crying.

I stopped a council van and demanded the workers do something!!
1 pulled and pulled at the window and managed to free the dog.

I advised the driver to take a few mins to get himself together before he went off on his way. .
It was truly bloody heart breaking. .
My dogs have dog seat belts in the back!!

pleasecomesoonspring · 21/04/2017 11:40

Then that would probably be the last time they did it? My Gramps had an old dog that always led on his lap while driving and it never moved off it just slept.

Screwinthetuna · 21/04/2017 11:41

It should definitely be.

acornsandnuts · 21/04/2017 11:41

Our neighbour's daughter does this. Her dog is yappy and goes off on one when she drives past people on the street. So irresponsible.

FlyingElbows · 21/04/2017 11:41

Lol, you try telling my dog he's not allowed to drive!!

WaitrosePigeon · 21/04/2017 11:42

Agree

pleasecomesoonspring · 21/04/2017 11:43

Not that I would drive with a dog in my lap mind.
I once had a puppy in a box in the back and when driving it somehow escaped the box, went under my chair and under the pedals. First I knew was when I hit the brakes and heard a loud squeal. So I quickly grabbed it and put it on my lap.
But apart from that I wouldn't drive with anyone or anything on my lap

Original poster
CheeseCrackersAndWine · 21/04/2017 11:44

I get that if it's small & not moving it probably doesn't make much difference but it's surely the possibility of what it could do that is pretty dangerous?! Although in this instance given the driver is know to have their face licked by the animal while driving I'd say it was a distraction Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
CheeseCrackersAndWine · 21/04/2017 11:45

Ok, glad I'm not the only one then! Was prepared to be told I was being unreasonable since it's totally legal & I generally find this person rude & self centred whic could have been clouding my judgement

OP posts:
limitedperiodonly · 21/04/2017 11:45

You don't need laws to cover every eventuality. If a police officer saw it they might charge them with an existing offence, like driving without due care. I guess they'd have a word, at least.

TotalPineapple · 21/04/2017 11:47

When I was a kid my friend's grandparents had a little westie that used to travel loose in the car, it would be bouncing all over the inside climbing on everyone.

My dog travels in the passenger footwell at the moment (not ideal and when we've got two they're going in one of those hammocks on the rear seat all safe and secure).

I always vaguely thought there was something about them being an unsecured load, but that is probably bollocks.

It's ridiculous that you can't press a button on your phone but you can let a dog lick your face and climb in your lap! I expect if something happened they'd be done for driving without due care and attention or something.

haveacupoftea · 21/04/2017 11:48

I am crying with laughter at the thought of someone driving around with a pug on their lap licking their face and looking out the window Grin but then I am 8 months pregnant and mentally unstable Blush

YANBU though. I have a pug and she knows not to jump onto my lap until the car is stopped. This does lead to the odd quarrel at red lights though.

NavyandWhite · 21/04/2017 11:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
CheeseCrackersAndWine · 21/04/2017 11:53

That's basically what I was told, if something happened they'd be charged with whatever but until then, it's all good.

OP posts:
user1492771818 · 21/04/2017 11:54

Rule 57

When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.

GahBuggerit · 21/04/2017 12:02

I thought it was?! I drive with the dog in the passenger seat who gives me directions in a doggy voice and I'm always paranoid when i see a police car because i thought cars needed to be kitted out to transport a dog? Have I been worrying all these years for nothing? I'm off to Google........

FeralBeryl · 21/04/2017 12:10

As long as it wasn't this dog Grin
I can't see how it would be sensible, what if your dog saw one of his mates walking past and jumped up to try and bark hello, thus obscuring your view?

AIBU to think driving with a dog on your lap should be illegal?
MaitlandGirl · 21/04/2017 12:10

It's illegal here in NSW - dogs have to be properly restrained in the back of the car (either back seat or boot) and have to be properly restrained in the back tray of a ute.

I once saw someone driving up the Freeway at 110kph eating a bowl of cereal, complete with milk. The police were very interested in that piece of mobile phone footage!!

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