Lawmaker seeks to ban pets from driver's seat

Lawmakers have taken aim at many driving distractions lately, talking on your cellphone and texting to name a few.

But driving with your dog? That's a new one.

A bill introduced by state Assemblyman Bill Maze (R-Visalia) would ban pets from sharing the driver's seat with their owners and fine drivers $35 if they were caught with a pet in their lap, the Palm Springs Desert Desert Sun reports.

The bill, reviewed by a committee Monday, was prompted by data showing pets were among the worst in-car driving distractions, Maze told the newspaper.

If the bill passes, all of those head-out-the-window, lap-loving dogs might have to learn a new command: Sit (on the passenger seat).

--Tony Barboza

Photo: Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times

Comments

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I have never seen a driver being reckless because some cute little dog was sitting there. I am far more distracted by children in the back seat, teenage drivers, elderly drivers, other passengers in general (nothing scares me more than the driver behind me who is looking sideways at his buddy while talking) than from my little dog who settles down and goes to sleep in minutes. So please ban the others first from distracting me. I was in one accident with a dog in my lap. An idiot without a dog, driving a truck rear ended me at a stoplight. The dog bounced off my chest like an airbag and was fine, but I got whiplash. So please ban all distracted drivers first :)