Madam, – Perhaps it is my growing awareness, but it seems to me that the practice of carrying dogs in cars, sometimes sitting on the driver’s knee, without restraint, is on the increase. I cannot imagine that this does not constitute a danger to all road users, perhaps even greater than using a cell phone while driving.
Some years ago, legislation was enacted to ensure that child passengers in vehicles are suitably restrained by child seats and seat belts. A dog can constitute not only a distraction to the driver, but also a flying missile in the event of a collision or emergency braking. It must be time for the Oireachtas to enact legislation to prohibit this practice for the safety of all road users. – Yours, etc,