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Keep Roads, Drivers, and Pets Safe. Don’t Let Your Pet Distract You While Driving.

Selective Insurance study finds majority of U.S. drivers interact with their dogs while driving.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness month, and Selective is reminding people that distracted driving means anything that diverts a driver’s attention, including pets, from safely operating their vehicle. In March 2023, we commissioned a survey, conducted online by The Harris Poll, about driving with our furry friends and the distractions they may cause for drivers.

The survey showed that a majority of U.S. adults (86%) believe having an unrestrained dog in a moving vehicle can be a distraction to the driver. 89% of licensed drivers who owned a dog in the past 12 months said they have driven with their dog during that time. 74% drove with their dog several times a month or more often, while 65% had their pet in the car at least once a week.

Pet Interactions Lead to Distractions

91% of those who drove with their dog in the vehicle in the past 12 months admitted to interacting with their dog while driving during that time, with many of these interactions requiring a driver to take their hands off the wheel or their eyes off the road.

Reckless Driving Behaviors

40% of those who’ve ever driven with their dog in the vehicle have engaged in some form of reckless driving because of their dog being present.

Generational Diffrences

Gen Z (ages 18-26 ) and Millennial (ages 27-42) drivers who owned a dog in the past 12 months are more likely to have driven with their dog when driving for work-related reasons during that time (73% & 78% vs. 56% Gen X (ages 43-58) & 33% Boomers (ages 59-77)).

Local Laws for Pet Safety

A significant 70% of licensed drivers who owned a dog in the past 12 months reported their dog being unrestrained in the vehicle and 34% did not know that animal restraint laws exist in their respective states.

Selective is giving away a limited quantity of complimentary Selective-branded dog seatbelts.

Buckle Up with a Dog Seat Belt

To help you focus on the road, we're giving away a limited number of complimentary Selective-branded dog seat belts to all who want one! This offer is first come, first served, so request yours today.

GET YOUR DOG SEATBELT
GET YOUR DOG SEATBELT

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"While K-9 passengers might not be as distracting as a typical ‘back seat driver,’ it's important for drivers to be aware that anything that diverts our attention from operating a vehicle can be a distraction," said Scott Smith, Vice President, Director of Safety Management, Selective Insurance. "Every American uses different driving behaviors and by understanding how these habits evolve through distracted driving research, we can help educate and empower our customers to be advocates for the safety of everyone on the road – included our beloved pet passengers.”

Scott Smith, Vice President, Director of Safety Management, Selective Insurance

Tips for driving safely with your dog:

  • Have your dog ride in the back seat and consider using a partition between the front seats
  • A dog seatbelt, safety harness, or anchored crate will offer your dog some protection in an accident
  • Plan ahead and identify rest stops along your route for breaks
  • For emergency breaks, avoid the side of the road and instead look for a quiet parking lot
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This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Selective Insurance from March 2-6, 2023, among 2,044 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, among whom 992 are licensed drivers who drove with their dog in the past 12 months. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval.  For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.8 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact Katelyn.Leondi@Selective.com