Driver with dog on lap snapped by police camera

An investigation is under way after a driver was spotted with a dog resting on their lap while their vehicle was moving.

The image was taken by a Devon and Cornwall Police camera on the A39 at Penryn.

A spokesperson for the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership said the Road Traffic Act required drivers to always be in "proper control of the vehicle and have a clear view of the road ahead".

It added that the registered vehicle keeper was to be sent a Notice of Intended Prosecution to compel them to identify the driver.

Rebecca Guy is a senior policy manager with the road safety campaign group ROSPA.

She said: "We know that lots of drivers would never consider having their dog on their lap while driving, but we have seen examples before of pets travelling unrestrained in the vehicle.

"What concerns us most is that drivers who do this might underestimate how distracting it could be.

"You would need to ensure that they have a suitable restraint, so that could be seat belt harnesses, pet carriers, dog cages or dog guards."

She added: "There aren't any official statistics on how many pets are being carried without being restrained but we do anecdotally hear it from time to time.

"I think it is a good chance for us to raise awareness of the importance of making sure pets are properly restrained for two reasons really: the first being they could distract you from driving, but the second is if you are involved in a crash that animal is going to be thrown forward at quite some speed."

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