Car safety goes to the dogs  (copied without permission from ConsumerReports.org)

The automaker press conferences at the Chicago Auto Show today ended not with a whimper, but a bark, as Volvo brought canine safety center stage. The Volvo-dog connection is natural. Our recent Brand Perceptions Survey found that among new-car shoppers, safety (63 percent) is the most important consideration. And the Swedish brand owns the safety category, according to this nationwide survey.

Pet safety group BarkBuckleUp had pooches on hand as they addressed the avoidable dangers of traveling with dogs. Some are obvious, others less so. Given that more than 67 percent of U.S. households own a pet, with 44.8 million having a dog, chances are you have or will at some time travel with a dog.

Dogs present a variety of risks, beyond drooling, shedding, and scratching the interior. Dogs can also distract a driver with their behavior or insufferable cuteness.

Among the most threatening risks is simply being unrestrained in an accident. In a BarkBuckleUp example, a 60-pound dog in a 30-mph collision can impact a car seat, windshield, or a passenger with 1,200-pounds of force.

Less obvious are some of the other risks. In a prior interview, BarkBuckleUp co-founder Christina Selter told of how emergency workers face dangers from a wounded or overly protective animal preventing, or at least challenging, their access to a crashed automobile to help its occupants. Think German Shepherd scared witless, staring down mortal threats, with sirens, flashing lights, and strangely dressed people approaching its family…not a welcoming scenario.

Tragically, Selter says she hears reports of when emergency team members open a vehicle door, only to have a frightened animal run into traffic, causing another accident.

Dogs are beloved family members in many households and can bring lots of joy. It’s hard to envision Fido at such risk, but clearly the threat is there. Pet harness restraints and cargo-section barriers are available that can help keep the whole family safe. If safety really is a top concern, investing in a harness or barrier seems like a small price to pay to make the whole family safer.

—Jeff Bartlett

Read our complete coverage of the 2008 Chicago Auto Show.

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