New Bill Would Outlaw Driving Under the Influence of Dog
There are few things that offer the same kind of trivial gratification as a photograph of a dog behind the wheel of an automobile. Assaulting several different pleasure centers of the brain simultaneously, the image of a dog driving a car is objectively perfect. Even thinking about it just now probably caused a positive reaction in your mind.
It’s as endearing as it is hilarious. Subaru developed an entire ad campaign around the concept and other groups have used similar tactics — resulting in viral videos and critical acclaim. However, as great as a dog pretending to drive a car is, there are few things less infuriating than when someone allows their dog to sit on their lap whilst operating a motor vehicle.
Apparently, I’m not alone in this opinion, as a bill has been introduced to crack down on this highly specific form of distracted driving.
According to a brief report from WZZM-TV, LaTanya Garrett, Democrat State Representative from Michigan’s 7th district, has introduced a bill that would prohibit anyone from operating a vehicle with a dog on their lap.
Breaking the proposed law would be a civil infraction, resulting in a $100 fine for the first offense and $200 for any additional offenses. There is an exception under the Americans With Disabilities Act if the dog is there for a medical reason.
Hawaii and New Jersey both have similar laws in effect already. But it might not be a terrible idea to implement this sort of idea more broadly. Sure, it’s not the most dangerous thing to do behind the wheel and you may have done it before without incident. However, I’m forced to remind everyone that driving while dogged means different things to different people. Having a calm Dachshund napping for the duration of a trip isn’t the same as having a Great Dane that’s suddenly overcome with the urge to lick your face as you attempt to merge with traffic.
In the end, it’s a pretty reasonable fine for a potentially dangerous activity. If it keeps inappropriately doting pet owners from taking their eyes off the road, I see no reason to be terribly critical of the bill — especially since avoiding the ticket would be so easy. Keep those adorable little maniacs in the passenger seat while in motion and move them behind the wheel only for those precious parked photo ops.
[Image: Josh Tremper/ Flickr ( CC BY-ND 2.0)]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Nothing screams I'M NOT PAYING ATTENTION louder than some halfwit rolling around with a Toilet Brush in their lap.
It drives me crazy that time and money is spent drafting and possibly implementing laws aimed at narrowly-defined behaviors. This, as well as texting and any number of behaviors, should be covered by existing distracted/reckless driving laws.