Tag: warned
Dog owners warned they could be fined up to £5,000 for breaking little known driving rules
DOG owners have been warned about a car mistake that could set them back £5,000.
Over a third of British drivers who own dogs are unaware of the Highway Code rule, a survey has found.
Dog owners must restrain their pooch while driving[/caption]
All dogs must be restrained in a vehicle using a harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard, according to Rule 57 of the Code.
It states: “When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly.”
If a motorist causes an accident because they are distracted by their dog, they could face an eye-watering £5,000 fine for careless driving.
But research by car marketplace Auto Trader has found that 34 per cent of UK drivers who own dogs are not aware of the rule, the Mirror reported.
Of those claiming to be up-to-date on the Highway Code’s requirements for driving with pets, the poll found only 56 per cent knew the correct rules.
Of the 44 per cent who answered incorrectly, most thought that Rule 57 was either preventing dogs from travelling in the front seat or not allowing pets to stick their head out of the window.
The survey, carried out as part of its Canine Car Report, also found nearly a quarter of drivers with dogs don’t restrain their pooch in a harness or cage.
The researchers worked with Adam Spivey, Director and Master Trainer at Southend Dog Training, for expertise on the best way to restrain pets – to avoid the whopping fines.
Adam said: “We understand the safety regulations of a baby being properly seated in a car; we must understand the same applies to dogs too.
“A crash-tested impact crate is the safest way for any dog to travel – it is something you see the police use with their dogs.
“However, if you can’t do that for any reason then at the very least you must use a very secure seatbelt attachment for your dog.”
Drivers have also been warned not to leave their dogs in freezing cars as temperatures are set to plummet to below zero in the UK this week.
TOP TIPS FOR DRIVING WITH YOUR PET
- The Highway Code recommends using a “seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard” to restrain animals in the car
- Experts believe using a cage or crate in the boot is the safest way to transport your pet
- Don’t feed your pet within two hours of starting a long car journey to avoid carsickness
- Pack a favourite toy or blanket to give your pet a sense of familiarity
- Use sun shades on the windows when it is hot or the sun is bright and never leave a pet in a hot car
- Always carry a large water bottle (5 litres minimum) in case your pet overheats and needs to be rapidly cooled in an emergency
- Don’t allow your pet to ride with its head hanging out of the window, as it’s potentially dangerous and can cause injury
(Source: The Company of Animals)
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We’ve been left furious after our quiet cul-de-sac was swamped with traffic due to annoying roadworks – no one warned us
RESIDENTS of a cul-de-sac have been left furious after roadworks turned their residential streets into a main road.
Homeowners in East Finchley, North London said they have been left to “fend for themselves” and receive no proper warning that the works would happen.
Residents say the road closure caused chaos in their residential cul-de-sac[/caption]
The closure on February 10 forced drivers down the U-shaped road to get around it and back onto the main road.
The residential street itself is narrow and has parking on both sides, making it too small for two-way traffic.
One resident, Geetha Beaven, 50, told the Sun Online: “Nobody can get past each other. There’s no proper one-way system.
“We’ve had no communication from the council. People have been left to fend for themselves.
“It’s very frustrating.”
She claimed that the drivers forced down the street have been getting angry with each other and getting out of their cars to argue or honking their horns.
Other are driving too fast down the small streets.
She added: “If there was an emergency we wouldn’t be able to get out.
“There doesn’t seem to be any work going on over the weekend.
“It would have been nice to have been informed or told how long it would last.”
Her frustration is echoed by neighbour Corinna Williams, 63, who said that the situation was “horrendous”.
She explained: “We were told nothing.
“I had a hospital visit and I was really worried about getting to it.
“I didn’t go food shopping for fear of using my car. I was really upset.”
Both Corinna and Geetha mentioned that a local WhatsApp group informed them that the works were being carried out by Affinity Water.
Corinna called the company, but said that they “didn’t seem to know what was going on”
She claims the firm took three days to get back to her, despite allegedly saying they would call her back within a day.
She added: “There wasn’t proper signage. They said they were ’emergency works’ but there didn’t seem to be any work done at the weekend.”
“There was a lot of aggro, people getting out of cars and shouting each other…there are young children here.”
Corinna also called 101 to report the incident to the police, but said that she was told it was a council matter.
A Barnet Borough Council spokesperson said: “The road was closed due to emergency water main repair works undertaken by Affinity Water.
“As the work was done under an emergency permit request, there would not have been the time to inform residents prior to work commencing.
“To ensure the safety of workers onsite, a road closure was put in to facilitate these works. Work is set to be complete today with the road reopened this evening.”
A spokesperson for Affinity Water said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused to residents while we carried out emergency repair work in East End Road, Finchley, London over the weekend of 10th February 2023.
“We applied for an urgent permit to repair a burst water main and the day before [we sent] sent text messages to notify our customers that we were going to carry out this work.
“The work started on the February 10 2023 but had to stop for a short time while new fittings were ordered and arrived on site but even so it was completed the same day.
“Reinstatement work was then carried out over the next few days.
“The nature of reinstatement work means that often delays take place while materials settle when the teams leave the site and then return.”
None of the residents The Sun Online spoke to said that they had received a text message and all said that they had heard nothing from the council or the company before the road was closed.
Locals reported angry drivers honking their horns and arguing at all hours[/caption]
Affinity water apologised for any inconvenience caused[/caption]