DWD (Driving With Dog) Soon to be Illegal

If the lady with 3 dogs on her was driving wrecklessly why not cite her for wreckless driving? We don't need yet another law that costs millions to keep on the books.

People who love their pets don't drive with them loose in the front seat.

I agree with Bean. My dogs stay in the backseat because in the event of a crash I do not want my dog to die.

I'd like my dog to be on my car in the case of a crash, so he could go call the authorities and save mah life! :D

whoaaaaa, 35 bucks. they're really cracking down.

If my mother lived in Cali, she would be broke or in jail due to all of the breaches of this law.

Idiot lawmaker wasting his time on a useless bill. Not as if we don't live in a state that is going to be bankrupt in two years.

It's not a useless law. I see people doing this all the time in my town and they drive worse than people on their cell phones. You can't control a vehicle with an animal in your lap.

He likely had to propose the law because the act didn't satisfy the requirements of reckless driving laws.

"I see people doing this all the time in my town and they drive worse than people on their cell phones. You can’t control a vehicle with an animal in your lap."

Whoah whoah, don't be hasty. Let's not say anything to make people who talk on cell phones while driving look GOOD.

Can't we just say they're ALL ridiculously dangerous and foolish?

I don't know, I think this law has it's merits. Anyone (especially the fella's) who've driven with a cat or dog in their lap and gotten a paw (or worse a claw) to the crotch by an excited pet knows how dangerous this is. Once our cat got out of it's carrier while we were driving and decided my husbands lap was the place to be. Then a big mack truck drove by blaring it's horn and the cat decided my hubby's head was an even better place to be. You can imagine the chaos this caused. Pets should be in carriers for their own safety as well as ours.

Edward:

It's not really a wasteful law. I live in San Diego and I see this happening all the time. In fact, I know a guy who died because his little lap dog fell to the floor and then scared crawled under the brake pedal. There was heavy traffic and he had to stop, but was afraid to do so because of the dog under the pedal. He hesitated to apply the brake but finally did, crushing and killing the dog, but still causing a car accident that killed himself.

People think it's cute or fun to drive with their dogs in their laps but it's downright dangerous. No one who really loves their dog, or any animal, would drive with them in such a manner.

I agree with Bean and Carl.
People who drive with their animals in their laps are irresponsible pet owners. Britney got in trouble with her kid in her lap, why are animals worth any less?
It's a danger to the person, the animal, and other drivers on the road. It's irresponsible AND inconsiderate.
That said, it's also irresponsible to drive while dialing/talking on the phone, while reading, while doing one's hair/make-up, etc. etc. WHY SHOULD WE EVEN HAVE TO SAY THIS?

I think, what I am trying to say is, people are stupid for a number of reasons and this is one of them.

I can't imagine trying to drive with a dog in your lap. It would make me nervous. And I can't believe people used to have their kids sitting (unrestrained) on their laps in the front seat (whether they were driving or not). We need laws to protect people from their own stupidity or ignorance. Although, I guess these kinds of laws usually protect the dumb people, because anyone with any intelligence would realize how dangerous this is!

I totally agree with this law. These are the same people who try to eat a meal, talk on the phone and reapply lipstick when they drive.

I like the comment about "wreckless driving". I think that's exactly what they're trying to achieve.

Actually, I remember being behind a woman with a dog on her lap and putting on makeup on the highway on-ramp. She kept having to compensate sharply for the curve. I got around before I was stuck behind her on the highway.

Cell phones should be banned in cars everywhere, too.

There ought to be a law.......... Against silly lawmakers.

This is not a silly law. I have three dogs, two large and one small, and they are absolutely not allowed in my lap while driving. Any other time, ok...not in the car!

I support this law. Any law that eliminates distractions is fine by me. I don't need someone rear ending me because fido was distracting them.

I also agree with the comments about protecting the pets. I've never owned a cat or dog, but I imagine I would want them safely securred somewhere (in a carrier or something) while driving.

Good for him! If driving with a cell phone or while eating is distracting, having Fifi yapping and running around in your lap is much worse. I'm continually amazed at how little most dog owners know about dogs.

Anything that is not strapped in/down is a possible flying projectile. Dogs should be in the backseat(if you have one) and laying down, so if you do happen to stop short, they won't fly past your head and through the windshield. I saw this once, after the fact, a couple where pulled over at the side of the highway, staring at their windshield, which had a dog half way through it. Disturbing.
Besides, do we drive around with our kids on our lap(Britney!)?

Can't we just ban obnoxious lap dogs instead?

This is legal? Great, I am going to start driving with my baby in my lap! We need to bond more anyway.

Heck, they can't even keep people from yapping on their cell phones while driving.

Now they're trying to enforce no pets??? Fat chance!

here's what i say.. DON'T DRIVE WITH YOUR PET IN THE CAR! yes i know, you have to transport them somehow, that's why there's this amazing invention called a carrier that you can put your pet in while you drive. it's completely safe because it should fit the size of your animal, AND it illeviates the need for you to hold your pet in place.

DUH DUH DUH DUH DER DER DER DUMB DUMB people. they need to stop making laws that ban stupid stuff like this. a universal rule because of the stupid will threaten the rights of the smart. stop stupidity at the source, not after the fact. yes, i understand these wreckless drivers are a danger to other people on the road as well, but we need to keep THEM off the road. not everyone else because of them. laws are just an easy-way-out and don't really cost that much money. TEACHING people to behave correctly takes time, effort, and lots of money. hence why we have too many frivolous laws and still maintain an ignorant society.

i have been pulled over for having my puppy on my lap while driving. i was told then it was illegal. i agree with this. you should not drive with a dog on your lap. in an emergency it could make it worse.