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Top 10 Pet Safe Vehicles
These days, more pets than ever are traveling in vehicles; unfortunately, though, most drivers aren't taking the steps necessary to ensure that this travel is safe for both them and their pets. Most pets travel unrestrained, increasing the risk of pet injury or fatality during an accident. Unrestrained pets also pose risks for those who drive them: If you have an accident at 35 mph while toting your 60-pound unrestrained dog, your pet is capable of causing an impact of up to 2,700 pounds, slamming into the seat, the windshield, or even a passenger. If your unrestrained pet survives the crash, Fido or Fifi may impede or slow the progress of rescue workers, who'll need to secure the traumatized animal before treating victims.
Bark Buckle UP is committed to informing pet owners about the dangers of unrestrained pet travel. The organization tracks in-depth statistics regarding pet safety, and works with police and fire departments as well as the general public to promote safe travel. As part of its Pet Safety Program, Bark Buckle UP and Edmunds.com have collaborated to determine the top 10 vehicles whose features make them best suited for safe pet travel.
The top choices are listed below, in alphabetical order.
1. Dodge Journey
http://www.edmunds.com/dodge/journey/review.html
To ensure the safety of drivers, passengers and pets, all gear must be secure when driving, and the Journey offers in-floor storage bins that elegantly achieve this objective. Sadly, many pets are injured by drivers who unknowingly run them over while reversing -- the Journey offers a rear-view camera that helps drivers avoid this tragedy. Other available features include an in-dash cooler that can be used to store beverages, medicine or pet food; an LED rechargeable flashlight; and steering-wheel mounted controls (useful in lessening driver distraction).
2. Ford Flex
http://www.edmunds.com/ford/flex/review.html
Larger dogs and their crates will be comfortable in the roomy Flex; the crossover offers ample legroom and wide door openings for easy ingress and egress. Other pluses include a refrigerated console and 5-star crash test scores.
3. GMC Acadia
http://www.edmunds.com/gmc/acadia/review.html
Tri-zone climate control is available in the Acadia. This feature is important in SUVs, stations wagon and minivans; it helps monitor temperature in the rear of the vehicle, thus ensuring that pets secured in back aren't exposed to extreme heat. The Acadia also offers a direct link to poison control via its OnStar feature (many animals are injured each year from ingesting potential pet poisons like antifreeze, chocolate and tea), along with rear fold-flat seats that accommodate travel for larger pets and their crates.
4. Hyundai Tucson
http://www.edmunds.com/hyundai/tucson/review.html
Turn to the Tucson for pet-safe available features like automatic climate control and fold-flat rear seats. This Hyundai also offers remote keyless entry (helpful if your hands are full managing a dog on a leash) as well as privacy glass that helps keep temperatures cool in back.
5. Jeep Liberty
http://www.edmunds.com/jeep/liberty/review.html
The Jeep brand offers specialized pet travel gear, including crates, carriers and a ramp. The ramp is useful for larger dogs, as well as older and/or arthritic pets. This gear may be used with the Liberty and all vehicles in the Jeep lineup. Other useful Liberty features include a splint-folding rear seat and available keyless entry.
6. Kia Borrego
http://www.edmunds.com/kia/borrego/review.html
Full-length side curtain airbags with rollover sensors can keep both pets and their owners safe, and they're offered in the Borrego. The SUV also offers a back-up warning system and rear camera display.
7. Mazda 5
http://www.edmunds.com/mazda/mazda5/review.html
Three words: sliding rear doors! The Mazda 5 offers easy-access dual sliding rear doors with a one-touch walk-in feature. These doors simplify pet access, and make it a breeze to secure them. The minivan is also notable for having earned 5-star crash test scores and for having side curtain air bags in all three rows. Its low cargo floor facilitates easy pet access. The Mazda 5 also has tethers and anchors in both the second and third rows helpful since pet safety seats need to be secured in the same way as a child's.
8. Mitsubishi Outlander
http://www.edmunds.com/mitsubishi/outlander/review.html
Side airbags, 5-star crash test ratings and steering-wheel-mounted auxiliary controls are all part of the Outlander's arsenal of available offerings. The SUV also boasts fold-flat seating and stowable third-row seats (both these features increase the amount of room available for larger pets), as well as more than a dozen storage compartments for your gear and your pet's.
9. Subaru Tribeca
http://www.edmunds.com/subaru/tribeca/review.html
Pet owners will appreciate the Tribeca's 5-star crash test scores, steering-wheel-mounted auxiliary controls and rear backup camera.
10. Volvo XC70
http://www.edmunds.com/volvo/xc70/review.html
The XC70 is available with a Volvo-designed pet barrier. This is not a one-size-fits-all system with suction cups and Velcro this is the real deal. Many pet barrier systems are not designed to remain in place during an accident; this system crash-tested by Volvo has been created to remain intact in a collision. The barrier may be installed by the dealer, and is bolted securely into the vehicle. Another great feature is the XC70's blind spot warning system. A pet in back can sometimes impede visibility as a result, any safety feature that helps with blind spots is a big plus.
"It’s in everyone’s best interest for drivers to ensure that pets and their gear are safe and secure while on the road," said Kevin Smith, Edmunds.com’s Editorial Director. “The best vehicles for pet owners are the ones with plenty of room and pet safety features such as tri- climate control, fold-flat rear seats, rear back-up cameras, sliding rear doors, and side airbags.”
“Regardless of which vehicle you own, it is critical to safely restrain your pet when you’re driving,” asserted Christina Selter, Bark Buckle UP Founder and Pet Safety Expert. “Even the calmest unrestrained pets can become frightened in a moving vehicle, distract the driver and cause an accident. In the event of a sudden stop or accident, the animal can injure other passengers or be thrown through the windshield, then hinder the efforts of rescue workers or even cause another accident by escaping into the street. We don’t question the importance of seat belts for human passengers, and we should always provide the same protection for our pets.”
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