From AAA
Summary
A new AAA survey finds that while most Florida dog owners recognize the importance of restraining pets in vehicles, nearly three in 10 still allow their dogs to ride unrestrained. AAA warns that loose pets can become dangerous distractions and serious injury risks in a crash. The organization offers practical tips for securing dogs and making car trips safer for both pets and drivers.
AAA is reminding Florida pet owners that car safety includes their four-legged passengers, too. A new AAA survey found that while 92% of Florida dog owners believe restraints are important, 28% still allow their dogs to ride unrestrained. The top reasons drivers cited are:
- 43% - So they can stick their head out the window
- 25% - I don’t own a proper restraint for the dog
- 19% - I feel bad for them if they ride in a crate
"We know dogs love car rides," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. "But in a sudden stop or crash, an unrestrained dog can be thrown across the vehicle, seriously injured, or even ejected. Securing your dog before every trip is one of the simplest ways to protect a member of your family."
Even Good Dogs Can Distract Drivers
The danger is not limited to a crash. Dogs that move freely around a vehicle can create distractions that pull a driver's attention from the road long before an emergency occurs. Seven in 10 (70%) Florida dog owners report being distracted by behaviors such as barking, seeking attention, moving between seats, and jumping into the front seat.
More than 2 in 5 (43%) of Florida dog owners say their dog's behavior has affected their driving, such as taking their eyes off the road or a hand off the steering wheel, braking or swerving suddenly, or missing a traffic signal.
“Even the best-behaved dog can become a distraction in the car,” Jenkins continued. “A sudden bark, a nudge for attention, or a move toward the front seat can take a driver's focus off the road. Securing your dog helps protect them while allowing you to keep your attention on driving.”
AAA Tips for a Safer Ride with your Dog
AAA encourages dog owners to think about securing dogs the same way they think about buckling up children or fastening their own seat belt before every trip. The goal is to keep the driver focused, keep pets safe, and reduce the risk of injury if traffic stops suddenly or a crash occurs.
- Use vehicle-specific restraints before every trip: Secure dogs in a properly sized restraint, carrier, or crate designed for vehicle use, not a regular walking harness or leash. Use it every time, even for short trips close to home, and choose independently crash-tested products when possible.
- Keep pets out of the front seat: The back seat helps prevent pets from interfering with controls or visibility and keeps them away from front-seat airbags.
- Practice before a longer drive: Let dogs get comfortable with the restraint at home and on short rides so the safety device does not become a new distraction.
- Do not reach for a loose pet while driving: If a dog needs attention, pull over safely before adjusting the restraint, offering water, or calming the pet.
- Plan for stops and temperature safety: Build in breaks on longer trips and never leave a pet unattended in a parked vehicle.
"The good news is this is an easy problem to fix," Jenkins said. "A properly fitted restraint, carrier, or crate can help keep your dog safe, reduce distractions, and give you greater peace of mind every time you hit the road."
AAA Resources for Pet Owners
AAA provides its members with pet travel tips, pet-friendly hotel information, road trip planning tools, and select pet-related discounts that can make traveling with a dog easier and more affordable.
Dog owners can visit AAA.com/Pets to find pet-focused resources and put their AAA benefits to work before the next drive, vet visit, or weekend getaway.
The AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey was conducted online among Florida residents from August 5–13, 2026. A total of 201 dog owners completed the survey. Survey results asked for all respondents to have a maximum margin of error of ± 6.9 percentage points. Responses are weighted by age and gender to ensure a reliable and accurate representation of the adult population (18+) in Florida.
The Auto Club Group (ACG), named a 2026 Forbes Most Trusted Company in America, is the second-largest AAA club in North America, with more than 13 million members across 14 U.S. states and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG is part of the national AAA federation, which serves more than 66 million members across the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, download the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow us on social media.
Key Points
- Nearly 3 in 10 dogs ride unrestrained: 28% of Florida dog owners surveyed said they allow their dogs to ride freely in the vehicle, despite 92% agreeing that restraints are important.
- Dogs can distract drivers: 70% of Florida dog owners report being distracted by their dogs' behavior while driving.
- Driving can be affected: 43% say their dog's behavior has caused them to take their eyes or hands off the road, brake or swerve suddenly, or miss a traffic signal.
- Use proper restraints: AAA recommends vehicle-specific crash-tested restraints, carriers, or crates and keeping pets in the back seat away from airbags.
- Plan for safer trips: Pet owners should practice using restraints before longer drives, pull over before handling a loose or restless dog, take breaks, and never leave a pet unattended in a parked vehicle.
