Colorado drivers urged to keep pets restrained in back seat while on the road

Colorado law enforcement is reminding drivers of the risks of distracted driving. It is not just being on your phone, but playing and feeding your pet while driving. 

The Colorado State Patrol said these are leading to problematic crashes in Colorado and resulting in deaths in a lot of cases.

Colorado state troopers say your pet needs to be in the back seat and restrained while you are driving. If your pet is in the front seat, in the event of a crash, they become victims of hitting the dashboard or flying out of the window. This can be prevented.

Troopers say never let your pet roam in the car. They should be in the back seat, restrained, and the recommendation is to use a kennel.

Troopers say leave the front seat for humans because airbags can also seriously injure your pet in a crash.

Pets should keep their heads inside the vehicle. Even though pets love sticking their heads out of the window, they risk getting hit by debris or cold air getting forced into their lungs, which can make them sick.

Also, troopers say never leave your pet in the car alone because a vehicle can get very hot in just a few minutes. 

Troopers remind drivers that seat belts are required while driving. Pets do not have that same level of protection in the event of a crash.

"These little guys don't have a choice," said Sgt. Patrick Rice, Colorado State Patrol. "They are put in a vehicle, and they don't understand what's happening. They don't understand fast breaking or fast maneuvers to avoid a crash. Even if we don't crash, many times our pets end up victims of the dashboard or the side of the vehicle because they don't understand the way humans do."

If a trooper catches you driving distracted because of your pet, you could get pulled over and receive a careless driving ticket.