Question: Is there a law against driving with a pet in your lap? If cellphones are supposed to be so distracting, what about a dog slobbering all over you and bouncing up and down? – Justin, Parkland
Answer: There’s no law against it, in Washington or any other state.
But that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea, and you might get pulled over if the animal is obviously interfering with your driving.
“There’s no specific RCW,” says Washington State Patrol Trooper Guy Gill, “but the second the animal becomes some sort of distraction to where you’re incapable of controlling your vehicle – weaving, not stopping at a stop sign or whatever – then basically what you’re doing is driving negligently, and there’s a $550 fine for that.”
A California group called Bark Buckle Up is working not only to get pets out of drivers’ laps but to require that they wear harnesses or other restraints while in vehicles.
They point out animals can be killed or injured if air bags deploy or if the driver suddenly swerves or stops. If there’s a crash, the animal might run into traffic and be killed.
Rob Carson: 253-597-8693
rob.carson@thenewstribune.com
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