You could be fined £5,000 if you don’t transport your dog properly – and only half of drivers are

DRIVERS could be slapped with a £5,000 fine if they don’t transport their dog properly – and only half of motorists are doing it.

Skoda surveyed 2,000 dog owners to find out their driving habits and provide advice on the safest way to transport our favourite furry friends.

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The Czech car manufacturer found that despite Brits being well-known dog lovers, only 51% of motorists safely secured their dog in the car.

Only 14% of owners did it some of the time and 9% admitted that they have never secured their dog in their motor.

Research also found that out of the estimated 9.6 million dog owners in the UK, more than seven million Brits take their dog in the car at least once a week.

But one in 10 allowed their furry friend to sit on their lap when driving or move freely around the car, risking being slapped with a £5,000 fine.

According to the Highway Code, dogs need to be suitably secured so they avoid distracting the driver and to prevent injury in the case of a sudden stop.

Nearly half (44%) are unaware of current laws around travelling with a dog in the car which can lead to the hefty fine and invalid insurance.

In total, 68% of drivers said they drove more carefully with their dog in the car, though nearly a quarter (24%) said they found themselves to be more stressed.

With low-cost accessories readily available it is surprising that most motorists do not take the steps to make their pet as safe as possible.

The nation’s dog owners spend an average of £4,087.20 on their pooches, with food, pet insurance and edible treats the main outlay.

However, they risk doubling this cost for not securing pets safely when on the move.

When thinking about their car, dog owners said that the most important aspects were firstly that it should be easy for the dog to get in and out (60%), followed by good boot size (51%), interior space (44%) and durable materials (43%).

Skoda’s top tips for travelling with your dog

Skoda have teamed up with BorrowmyDoggy to give SEVEN top tips:

• Keep dogs on a lead when getting in and out of a car

• Securely fasten your dog in the car with a harness or in-car carrier

• Keep toys, food and water on-hand, for example in the glovebox.

• In-car dog accessories make travelling much more secure and comfortable, such as the ŠKODA rear-seat dog hammock.

• Extras like blankets and dog beds can help to keep a dog calm and relaxed.

• Take regular breaks for fresh air and to allow your dog to stretch their legs.

• Never leave your dog in the car on a warm day, even if you have parked in the shade