SA Police catch almost 800 drivers with a pet on their lap while behind the wheel

You’d think not driving with a pet on your lap would be an obvious road rule to follow. Not for hundreds of SA drivers.

Police have caught 798 drivers with an pet on their lap while behind the wheel in the past six years. FILE IMAGE

Almost 800 drivers have been caught with a pet on their lap while behind the wheel in South Australia over the past six years, staggering figures reveal.

The illegal behaviour and potentially serious safety risk has prompted a warning from authorities as families prepare to hit the road for summer holidays.

SA Police figures analysed by the RAA show 798 drivers were detected by officers with a pet on their lap between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2020.

Of those drivers, 274 were fined a total of $65,192 while the other 524 received a caution.

The fine for driving with a person or animal on your lap is $197 plus a $90 victims of crime levy from January 1, 2021.

RAA safety and infrastructure senior manager Charles Mountain urged motorists to ensure the safety of themselves, their passengers, pets and other road users ahead of summer holidays.

“Many people may not be aware you are not allowed to drive with your precious pet sitting on your lap. This is for good reason,” Mr Mountain said.

“It’s very easy to be distracted or knocked by an unrestrained dog or cat while you’re driving, which could result in an accident with potentially catastrophic consequences.’’

Mr Mountain said there was no road rule requiring drivers to restrain their pets in a vehicle.

He said while it was permissible for passengers to carry a pet on their lap it was much safer to secure the animal in the vehicle before setting off on a journey.

“If you do crash, or even have to suddenly brake, your unrestrained pet could be thrown around the vehicle and be seriously injured or killed,’’ Mr Mountain said.

“Also, your unrestrained pet could become a dangerous missile within the vehicle and put the safety and lives of everyone else in the car at grave risk.”

The RAA suggests three safe ways to restrain an animal in a vehicle including:

A PURPOSE-BUILT safety harness for your pet in conjunction with the seatbelt.

A SECURED pet crate for smaller dogs and cats.

A CARGO barrier for animals in the rear of station wagons or four-wheel drives. It is still recommended that pets are restrained for their own safety.

A police spokesman said a serious crash could be the result of a dog or cat knocking or distracting a driver.

“Drivers, passengers or even your beloved pet, could be seriously injured if sudden braking is required,” the spokesman said.

“Pets could be thrown around inside the vehicle becoming a dangerous projectile.”