Are dogs safer in boot or back seat?
Nelda Windler
2025-07-31 03:33:23
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: 17
You may be wondering, where is best for your dog to be when travelling in the car? Well, the general advice is that the backseat is the safest, since this is away from the crumple zones (front and back) of the car, which absorb most of the impact in an accident. Of course, while this is feasible for small to medium dogs, it’s not very convenient for larger dogs – especially if you have a smaller car. In such a case, then it is okay to put your dog in the boot, though you will still need to ensure that they’re secured appropriately. Either way, having your dog in the front with you is definitely a no-go. If you’re keeping your dog on the back seat, then the best form of restraint to use is a harness. When your dog is travelling in the boot, then a crate would be more suitable. The crate itself will need to be secured within your boot and must be large enough for your dog to comfortably sit, lie down and turn around in, but not so large that they could be thrown around and risk injury in the event of an accident. If a crate is not possible, then you will at least need a dog guard between the back seats and the boot.
Aracely Beahan
2025-07-31 00:30:14
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: 11
The Highway Code clearly advises that dogs travelling in your car must be suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. The best way to do this is by using a harness that plugs into a seatbelt port, a suitable travel crate, or a dog guard between the boot and the last passenger row. Your dog must never travel in the front passenger seat as this may be a distraction to you, the driver, and could very seriously injure your dog in the event of the airbags being activated. A suitable travel crate can be tethered on the back seat or fitted to the boot of the car.
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