Why do people drive with dogs on their lap?

[Talk Host]

We've all seen it, people driving their car or golf cart with a dog sitting on their lap. It takes only one second of clear thinking to know that this is a dangerous and stupid practice. Dangerous for the driver, for the dog, and for the poor unsuspecting victim who is injured or killed by the thoughtless driver.
Stupid because it defies the normal thought process.

There are a couple of words that come to my mind to describe these people. But I will ask you, our erstwhile TOTV members, none of whom would give in to such an unsafe practice. Why do people do this?

JLK

[nONIE]

Jan,

I can think of no other reason other then plain stupidity. I am an avid dog lover and I would no more consider driving with a dog in my lap then I would throwing one shoe out the car window. Go figure!

[tonycirocco]

Lack of substance between the ears.

[samhass]

Maybe because it costs a hundred dollars (just guessing)to euthanize a pet at the vet and this way maybe you can do it for nothing?

[tucson]

For the same reason that they put their small children either in the front seat without seat belts on and/or in the driver's seat letting them drive, just NOT TOO BRIGHT!!!! (a sign of the times I guess, children acting more like adults and adults acting like the children)

[Autoshow]

some have dogs on lap, and cell phones in their ears

[graciegirl]

I don't have a dog at the present time. My career had a lot of traveling and cats were easier to leave at home.

I never thought about a dog being a hazard in a golf cart. I always thought it was kind of sweet.

Is the danger that the dog would obscure your vision or that they would jump out?
I truly never thought about it. I see a lot of dogs sitting nicely in the passenger seat of golf carts or of cars. Is that O.K and safe?

[nONIE]

GG,

I think Jan meant a dog sitting in your lap while driving a golf cart. In my estimation this is as dangerous as in a car. Dogs are totally unpredictable from moment to moment. As sweet and wonderful as they are, they may see a squirrel and try to jump out or make a sudden movement to cause your steering to go out of control. It could make for a really bad accident.

I dont think Pets or babies should be anywhere near the steering wheel or in your line of vision. We take our dogs out in the golf cart often but they are always leashed down securely on the passanger side or the floor of the cart. Even with this precaution Iam extremely nervous about their unpredictable movements and am especially aware and cautious. Safety first for me and my doggies!

[billethkid]

obviously out weighs the real brain factor.
Another demonstration of lack of common sense.

BTK

[graciegirl]

obviously out weighs the real brain factor.
Another demonstration of lack of common sense.

BTK

Gee Billie. Did you mean me?:undecided:

[nONIE]

I hope not Gracie, 'cause you are way too sweet to be picked on. ;)

[blueeagle65]

Good question. Not long ago I followed an old guy through TV that had a dog cavorting through his car. He was in and out of his lane as well as the golf cart lane and didn't use his turn signals at all. We both stopped at the same postal station and I asked him if he was OK. He said he was fine wanted to know why I asked - so I told him the way he was driving I was afraid he was either sick or intoxicated. He then blamed his crappy driving on the dog. Okay..............

[Talk Host]

He then blamed his crappy driving on the dog. Okay..............

See what I mean

[Barefoot]

We've all seen it, people driving their car or golf cart with a dog sitting on their lap. It takes only one second of clear thinking to know that this is a dangerous and stupid practice. Why do people do this? JLK

People do it because they are incredibly naive about possible consequences.

Sounds like Britney Spears driving a car with one of her sons on her lap. :cus:

Hopefully this thread by Jan may educate a few people.

[sandybill2]

I cringed a couple of days ago when I saw a "four some " in a golf cart behind me-----the driver did not have a dog in the front seat but had one of those "baby holders around his neck with an infant in it". It was beyond my comprehension that the mother and/or father could think that was o.k. I could only hold my breath and pray that they all made it home safely.

[bestmickey]

Wow Sandybill2, I only have one thing to say about those folks ... :22yikes:

[captain1202]

Although I never had the dog in my lap, in his friskier years he used to sit on the front passenger seat looking out the window.

One day I was coming to a stop sign behind a pickup truck and the dog darted across the car and into my lap to see something out my window.

Guess what? The distraction was just enough to slow my response time causing a minor "rear-ender" with the pickup. No serious damage, but it could have been.

It does happen!

[Barefoot]

Although I never had the dog in my lap, in his friskier years he used to sit on the front passenger seat looking out the window.
One day I was coming to a stop sign behind a pickup truck and the dog darted across the car and into my lap to see something out my window.
Guess what? The distraction was just enough to slow my response time causing a minor "rear-ender" with the pickup. No serious damage, but it could have been. It does happen!

Captain, Lovely new avatar!

No question, dogs can certainly cause accidents in cars as well as golf carts.
Too bad we have to learn lessons the hard way.

I don't even permit my dogs in the front seat of the truck because I'm worried they could get killed by an air bag if there is an impact.

[graciegirl]

Boy Howdy. I have learned a lot. The NEW "used" golf cart that we bought the day before we returned home has a zip up pet seat made of micromesh attached firmly to the cart made for a very small dog. We have Kitties. I am having a little chat with Mikey, asking him if he wants to go to the square and watch the dancing, whether he thinks it is safe, or whether he'd get real nervous zipped into a micromesh box.

I think NOT.

[Russ_Boston]

Seems unsafe and stupid if you ask me, whether in a cart or a car!

The Govenator of CAL just vetoed a bill that would have made it illegal to drive with a pet in the lap.

[F16 1UB]

Oh come on. Everybody is just afraid to admit why people drive with dogs on their lap. Until such time that pedals are long enough for them to use, this will continue. Geesh !!!!

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb176/F16-1UB/DSCF2186.jpg

[Barefoot]

Oh come on. Everybody is just afraid to admit why people drive with dogs on their lap. Until such time that pedals are long enough for them to use, this will continue. Geesh !!!!
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb176/F16-1UB/DSCF2186.jpg

But Sadie Mae is the only dog that I know who has been taken to Drivers Ed.

[SteveZ]

This is an easy one.

The dog is the driver.

The dog is obviously smart enough to have trained the human to act as the dog's hands (to steer the wheel) and feet (to press the pedals). The human obviously is just the dumb animal responding to the master's bidding....