Volvo Has a Safety Message for Truckers With Four-Legged Co-Pilots

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

Your dog may love riding shotgun. But when that truck starts moving, “he’s fine back there” isn't exactly a safety plan.

For the estimated 800,000 pets traveling in truck cabs across the U.S., Volvo Trucks North America and the Center for Pet Safety are putting some fresh attention on an issue many truckers know firsthand: keeping your four-legged co-pilot safe while you're working the road.

The organizations have released a free guide with practical recommendations for professional drivers who travel with dogs and cats. The timing also lines up with National Dog Day. :contentReferenceoaicite:0{index=0}

Because for a lot of truckers, the dog is part of the crew

More than 60% of commercial truck drivers are pet owners, according to the report, and nearly 40% of those drivers bring their pets along for the ride.

And honestly, that makes sense.

When you're spending long days and nights inside a truck, having a dog or cat waiting in the bunk can make a lonely road feel a whole lot less lonely.

That pet isn't just sitting in the truck. For many drivers, they're part of everyday life.

But here's the catch: the cab is still a moving vehicle.

“Just let him ride loose” isn't a safety strategy

One of the biggest recommendations in the new guide is also one of the simplest: properly restrain your pet whenever the truck is moving.

That means choosing equipment designed to provide protection, rather than assuming a pet will somehow know what to do if you have to make a sudden stop or get involved in a crash.

The guide specifically covers how drivers can choose and use crash-tested harnesses and carriers.

That's important because a regular leash, makeshift setup or loose pet may not provide the protection a driver assumes it does.

The guide goes beyond crash protection

Volvo and the Center for Pet Safety aren't just talking about what happens during a collision.

The recommendations also address the everyday problems that come with having an animal on the road.

• Emergency preparation — Be prepared for situations where you and your pet need help quickly.
• Pet first aid — Keep appropriate supplies available instead of scrambling after something goes wrong.
• Hot and cold weather — Temperature changes can create serious problems for animals.
• Overnight stops — Think
  through how you're handling your pet when you stop for the night.
• Travel equipment — Use harnesses and carriers designed with safety in mind.
• Hotel etiquette — Know how to responsibly manage pets when staying away from the truck.

None of that sounds complicated.

But trucking has a funny way of turning simple things into emergencies when you're tired, far from home and trying to keep a load moving.

Your pet can't tell you what's wrong

That's another reason preparation matters.

A driver knows when the truck sounds different. You can look at the dash, check your gauges and feel when something isn't right.

Your dog can't exactly tell you, “Hey boss, I think something is wrong with the cooling system.”

That puts more responsibility on the driver to think ahead.

A basic pet emergency kit, appropriate restraint system and a plan for extreme temperatures can make a bad situation easier to manage.

Safety doesn't stop at the steering wheel

Volvo's message is bigger than just selling trucks or talking about truck technology.

The company says safety should extend to the animals traveling alongside professional drivers every day.

And that's a pretty reasonable idea.

Truckers already spend their days thinking about following distance, tires, brakes, weather, traffic and everything else that can go wrong on the highway.

If your dog or cat is riding with you, they're another passenger depending on you to make good decisions.

The bottom line

Bringing your pet trucking can be one of the best parts of life on the road. You've got a companion at the end of a long day, somebody happy to see you at every stop, and—let's be honest—somebody who probably doesn't complain about your choice of truck-stop dinner.

But being a good pet owner on the road means treating pet safety like truck safety: prepare before something goes wrong.

Use proper restraints. Prepare for emergencies. Think about weather. Carry basic supplies. And have a plan before you need one.

Your four-legged co-driver trusts you. Make sure you're driving like it.

Want to learn more about getting into trucking? Visit LifeAsATrucker.com.

Want to learn how to make money online while you're off duty? Visit TruckingOffDutyMoney.com.

Source: The Trucker, reporting on Volvo Trucks North America and the Center for Pet Safety's new recommendations for drivers traveling with pets. :contentReferenceoaicite:1{index=1}