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 | Lancashire Times A Voice of the Free Press |
4:08 PM 6th August 2020
cars
Want To Go On A Road Trip With Your Dog?
photo credit Driving with Dogs
After the restrictions of the last few months it’s completely understandable that people want to get out and about again and many will be including their dogs in the fun.
To make sure drivers and their pooches stay happy and safe on road trips Highways England has teamed up with the Driving with Dogs website to suggest some top stop off ideas for a mid-trip break or day out.
Highways England Head of Road Safety, Richard Leonard said:
“We want all our customers, including the four-legged ones, to arrive at their destinations safely this summer and I’d urge drivers to make sure they plan a break into longer trips as well as preparing for any journey, especially in hot weather, by stocking up on water and checking travel conditions before setting off.”
photo credit Driving with Dogs
“Since lockdown ended we’ve seen a big increase in visitors to our site so it would seem this year more than ever people want to go on adventures with their dogs.
“Whether you’re planning a fun day out or driving a long way and need a stop off en route there are literally thousands of lovely dog walks within a stone’s throw of most major roads and motorways and we would urge people to get exploring!”
As well as taking a break on road trips, veterinary charity PDSA is offering safety advice to anyone travelling with their dog this summer.
PDSA Vet, Anna Ewers Clark, said:
“As camp-sites, holiday homes, and places where we can enjoy a day out - like national parks - begin to re-open, many of us will be planning days out and holidays in the UK. It’s important to remember to keep our pets safe and happy as we do that, especially if you’ll be spending a long time in the car.”
PDSA’s top tips include:
Keep your pet restrained and secure in the car, not only will this keep them safe but it’s also is required by the Highway Code. We recommend using car safety harnesses for medium sized and large dogs, and pet carriers for small dogs and cats. The harness fits around the dog’s chest, back and shoulders, and is then attached to one of the rear safety belts.
Consider travel time. Lengthy journeys can be stressful for many pets, so keep travel as short as possible, and plan in plenty of rest breaks along the way. If your pet is likely to get stressed, consider staying closer to home.
Check the temperature in the back of the car. Although most cars have great air conditioning for the front seats, the back seat or boot can heat up very quickly and can become dangerously warm for your pet, especially if they are in a carrier.
Make sure you put your dog on the lead before you open the car doors and get them in and out of the car on the pavement side, away from the road. To prevent eye injuries and accidents, don’t let your dog put its head out of the window.
Carry plenty of drinking water and a bowl, even on short journeys and stop frequently so they can go to the toilet and stretch their legs in the fresh air.
Keep your pet restrained and secure in the car, not only will this keep them safe but it’s also is required by the Highway Code. We recommend using car safety harnesses for medium sized and large dogs, and pet carriers for small dogs and cats. The harness fits around the dog’s chest, back and shoulders, and is then attached to one of the rear safety belts.
Consider travel time. Lengthy journeys can be stressful for many pets, so keep travel as short as possible, and plan in plenty of rest breaks along the way. If your pet is likely to get stressed, consider staying closer to home.
Check the temperature in the back of the car. Although most cars have great air conditioning for the front seats, the back seat or boot can heat up very quickly and can become dangerously warm for your pet, especially if they are in a carrier.
Make sure you put your dog on the lead before you open the car doors and get them in and out of the car on the pavement side, away from the road. To prevent eye injuries and accidents, don’t let your dog put its head out of the window.
Carry plenty of drinking water and a bowl, even on short journeys and stop frequently so they can go to the toilet and stretch their legs in the fresh air.
Walks that would make brilliant stop offs close to Highways England roads up north include:
M60/M62 various junctions Greater Manchester - With 600 acres of parkland, Heaton Park is a massively popular open space for walkers and their dogs. You can get here easily from several M60 junctions and also the M62.
M6 Jct 28 Cuerden Valley, Lancashire - Lovely easy walk on gravelled paths around a very large country park. Lots of access to the River Lostock running through.
A1M Country Park doggiestop walk near Doncaster, Yorkshire - This is such a relaxing and gentle place to take a break from the A1M, and dogs will love the parkland here.
A46 Lincolnshire - A super park for dogs, with flat walking in 200 acres of woodland and wetland. The area is a combination of both Hartsholme County Park and Swanholme Lakes Local Nature Reserve
For information about walks go to:
https://www.drivingwithdogs.co.uk/
The RSPCA offers advice on what to do in the event of a breakdown:
Dogs should be removed from the broken-down vehicle if it is safe to do so.
The animal should be kept under secure control i.e. kept on a lead at all times.
Both animal and owner must position themselves as far away as possible from the roadside behind the crash barrier.
Dogs should be removed from the broken-down vehicle if it is safe to do so.
The animal should be kept under secure control i.e. kept on a lead at all times.
Both animal and owner must position themselves as far away as possible from the roadside behind the crash barrier.