You can drive with a dog in your lap in California?
By marina321
@marina321 (4556)
October 1, 2008 2:51pm CST
I read an article in the paper today 'Motorists can continue to drive with dogs on their laps in California, thanks to Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger. He is vetoing a bill that would fine drivers £18 for sharing their seat with animals'
I am no dog owner but all love aside..
I wondered why one would want to drive with their dog/pet in their seat?
It does not seem very safety conscious to me as anything that distracts someone from the road should well be left alone while driving.. One also wonders why such a bill would be vetoed as it ensures safety of the drivers and other road users alike
What do you think? Should people be driving with their animals in their seats? Shouldn't such a bill be passed as people should not be doing that anyways.. If people are fined for not restraining their children appropraitely and for mobile phone use, shouldn't the same apply here?
I wondered why one would want to drive with their dog/pet in their seat? It does not seem very safety conscious to me as anything that distracts someone from the road should well be left alone while driving.. One also wonders why such a bill would be vetoed as it ensures safety of the drivers and other road users alike
What do you think? Should people be driving with their animals in their seats? Shouldn't such a bill be passed as people should not be doing that anyways.. If people are fined for not restraining their children appropraitely and for mobile phone use, shouldn't the same apply here?9 people like this
15 responses
@guybrush (4658)
• Australia
1 Oct 08
I'm a dog lover, but it would be silly to drive with ANYTHING on your lap - let alone a moving, unpredictable creature. You wouldn't be allowed to drive with a child in your lap - so why this? Also, the dog should be properly restrained for its own safety - if it were to be propelled through the window in an accident, that would be terrible! Even loose books and boxes are dangerous in car impacts, so heaven help a poor pet. All humans and animals should be appropriately restrained, for sure!
2 people like this
A bit strange for them to take this lightly..
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
4 Oct 08
Makes no sense to me either. I certainly cannot drive with my dog in my lap, or even when he's trying to sit too closely. I've read that many of the animal rights places are now advocating a harness for pets when the ride, or that they be in their crates so they'll be safer during accidents.
1 person likes this
@angela38 (122)
• United States
4 Oct 08
To be honest I am not one who advacates animals in the cabs of cars but maybe in the back of a truck. Anyway my mom's last husband had a dog and if we went any place and took that dog he was right in anyones lap who drove with his head out the window. I never understood why we had to drag the dog places with us sence I wass allergic to animals. That is why that even now I have a hard time when mom says you can not do things because of your allergies. Talking to me that is. If she was so worried about it why did she not worry about it years ago when we had animals around me. Doubble standard if you ask me.
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
2 Oct 08
That's funny.. What if they have a big dog with them, and that the dog is blocking their view of the road?? lol =D I think it's just plain stupid to allow that kind of laws to be legal.. When mobile phones, and kids can cause accidents to happen, but not animals?? lol =D
When things we can control can result in accidents, what's more with animals that we cant really control.. haha
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189838)
• Boise, Idaho
2 Oct 08
What is the insanity here??!! Britney can hold her baby on her lap and get away with it! People can cause accidents all over because they feel talking on the phone instead of being a responsible and attentive driver. What next? I so agree with what you say.......anything that distracts someone from the road should not be allowed. I am amazed at what the government feels are the true priorities in this country.
1 person likes this
@marina321 (4556)
•
2 Oct 08
Yup, does not make much sense... That would lead to a quick stop, search (coz you'd obviously have to be high on something to do that here) followed by an arrest and heavy fine here...
That would lead to a quick stop, search (coz you'd obviously have to be high on something to do that here) followed by an arrest and heavy fine here...
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
2 Oct 08
That is absurd! Why would that bill be vetoed? A dog is
a distraction to the driver. What if it moved suddenly or
got in the drivers way of seeing another car and caused
a serious accident. I'm glad that moron is not my Governor!
That is just plain stupid! I am a dog lover and I don't
think that the dog is safe in a driver's lap. I think that
it should be belted in in another seat like a person at
least. Why would a dog be allowed to distract a driver
and possibly cause an accident or cause the animal to get
hurt! I hope the ASPCA & PETA people hear about this and
step up to the Governor on this one! Arnold you are not
too bright!
1 person likes this
@marina321 (4556)
•
2 Oct 08
Hahah! It is quite strange that we can see all these obvious reasons why the law should be passed, wonder which points were put across...
Plus £18 is a small price to pay for breaking such a law
It is quite strange that we can see all these obvious reasons why the law should be passed, wonder which points were put across...
Plus £18 is a small price to pay for breaking such a law
@marina321 (4556)
•
2 Oct 08
That would be the reasonable thing to do..to have them restrained
. I mean animals get startled all the time, even the most behaved of them
. I mean animals get startled all the time, even the most behaved of them
@shana123 (2095)
• India
2 Oct 08
I hear funny things around the world , may be i think your governor in order to put an end to the aside pet driving , he has put this rule, no one can drive a vehicle with a dog on ur lap , what if your pet licks or bites you lol, it might happen , how can you make it sit if your self driving the vehicle i hope it is to put and end for pets drivers.. only and the fine is also high so no doubt it is to stop it, though these rules sound funny but has a good meaning in it :)
@LittleMel (8742)
• Canada
2 Oct 08
I agree that is strange what was he thinking?
I have a pet myself but I would never drive with my cat on my lap
what if she fell right on my foot ? disaster hahah I would be speeding unintentionally
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
5 Oct 08
Why would someone want to have their dog in the car with them let alone be on their lap while they are driving? How can you pay attention to the road with a live animal in your lap? What if it falls to your feet? How would you brake, etc.? That is something that should definitely be against the law. You can't talk on your cell phone without it being hands free but you can have a dog on your lap? What? That is crazy!
Have a nice day and happy myLotting!!!
Have a nice day and happy myLotting!!!
1 person likes this
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
2 Oct 08
Hi marina,
I can't believe this, that is the worst thing to do to have a dog sitting on your lap while you are driving, it would cause a nasty accident and may even kill themselfves and others, that is most idiotic thing I have ever heard.
Tamara
1 person likes this
@marina321 (4556)
•
2 Oct 08
Yeah, it is quite odd to drive with a dog in your lap, a funny world i tell you...
@onlydia (2808)
• United States
4 Oct 08
Maybe there was something else on the bill that they are not telling you about. They do that. They never just vote on one thing. Like are bail out for the banks. It passed but there was somethings in there that in the end is going to make a lot of people mad. So that could be why he vetod it. Other wise I'm not sure. For one I would never have a dog on my lap. Driving or not. I like pets but you know I'm not much of putting them on my lap. Driving no. That is why they have pet carriers. Your friend onlydia
1 person likes this
@soyporteno (406)
• United States
5 Oct 08
That is one of the most stupid things I have ever heard of - driving with a dog on your lap. What kind of idiot would drive with their dog in their lap? If the dog is small enough to be on your lap then he could easily fall between your legs and get in the way of the gas and the brake pedals. How stupid!
1 person likes this
@sweetbabyjane (1929)
• United States
2 Oct 08
I really think that if you can be fined for not having your children in a car seat and for talking on the cell phone, then surely you must have your animals restrained. It would only make sense.
1 person likes this
@marina321 (4556)
•
2 Oct 08
Think the fine should be enforced if only to make people see the common sense
@lakantar (1573)
• Greece
2 Oct 08
hahaha... next law should about cats then a law about squirrels etc etc :P why can't they just vote a law that if a driver is distracted by something (mobile phone, laptop, dog, cat and the rest of animals kingdom :P) would be fined?
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
2 Oct 08
Curious. I think having an animal in your lap is plain silly but what is the exact wording of the bill. I always have my dog in the back seat when driving but what if you had a car that did not have a back seat, like a 2 seat sports car. I would think that a law prohibiting you from sharing a seat would stop you from driving with your dog if you only had 2 seats. Or maybe it covers any seat in the car. I would want to know the reasons for the veto.
