Woman drives with dog behind steering wheel and window open on Upper Thomson Road
Is it safe?
A woman was caught on camera driving a car with a dog behind the steering wheel on Upper Thomson Road on July 17 at around 6.30pm.
The driver's side window of the car was open.
Stomper Wy Wy shared a video of the incident as well as concerns.
"That's totally unsafe and irresponsible," said the Stomper. "Is this even allowed or legal?"
There are currently no laws here governing the transport of dogs in vehicles, but according to the Traffic Police, action can be taken against motorists who are distracted by animals for failing to maintain proper control of the vehicles.
"I felt that the driver was really irresponsible," added the Stomper.
"She was literally putting her pet as well as other road users in danger. What if the pet suddenly jumped out of the window? What if she got distracted or had her view blocked by the pet?
"Her irresponsible act could potentially cause a road accident that's totally preventable."
The Automobile Association of Singapore provides the following tips for safe driving with pets:
- Keep your pet away from the window: Dogs love hanging their heads outside car windows but wind may carry sand or foreign matter into your dog's ears and eyes. Flying debris may also injure your dog and having the window open too wide may tempt your pet to leap out.
- Keep pets in the back seat: A dog seated in front is a distraction and can cause an accident. If an accident causes airbags to deploy, it may crush your pet, even if it is in a carrier.
- Keep your pet secure: The safest way to transport your pet is to put it in a well-ventilated crate or carrier. A pet that is allowed to run loose in the cabin could be thrown about in the event of an accident or sudden braking. They could also be a dangerous distraction when they obstruct the driver's view or get entangled in the vehicle's pedals.
- Install barriers and belts for big dogs: A pet barrier separates the front seat from the back. You can also find seat belts that attach to a dog's harness. They are also helpful in keeping your dog in the car and stopping them from bolting out once the door is open.
- Never leave pets in the car unattended: Your pet could suffer from heat stroke or dehydration on a hot day even if the windows are slightly open.
- Never lose your pet: Make sure your pet wears an up-to-date ID tag with contact information in case of an emergency.
The Stomper said: "We already have enough accidents on the road. Let's be more mindful and do our part to keep the roads safe for everyone."
