Driver's breaking law with unrestrained pets

More than one in four dog-owning motorists unwittingly break the law when they transport their pets, according to research.

The RAC Pet Insurance study found 27 per cent of drivers failed to restrain their pooches while their vehicles are on the road.

The poll also revealed that four per cent have had an accident or a near miss as a result of a cat or dog being loose in their car.

According to the Highway Code, animals should be suitably restrained in a vehicle so that they don’t distract the driver or injure them if the vehicle stops quickly.

RAC Pet Insurance spokesman Simon Williams said: “As a nation of dog and cat lovers, it is surprising that we seem to give so little consideration to their safety when they are transported.”