Dog owners warning as you could be fined £5,000 thanks to Highway Code change

02 April 2023 , 04:29

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Studies suggest many drivers don't know the Highway Code in full (Image: Getty Images)

Dog owners could be fined up to £5,000 if caught driving with an unrestrained dog in the car thanks to a Highway Code rule change.

Studies suggest many drivers don't know the Highway Code in full and motoring organisations are urging car owners to familiarise themselves with the rules.

The change to the Highway Code, introduced in January 2022, relates to travelling with dogs and other pets in your vehicle.

Rule 57 mentions a numbers of measures motorists must take to ensure the safety of both the animal/s and anybody travelling in the car.

Drivers must take care when travelling with dogs and pets (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

In full the rule 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. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars."

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Failing to adhere to this could land you with a hefty fine, reports the Liverpool Echo. To stay safe while driving, make sure your dog, or any other pet, is restrained appropriately so it doesn’t distract you or hurt you or itself if you suddenly come to a stop.

While breaking the Highway Code does not carry a direct penalty, drivers who are deemed to be distracted on the road could be given a £1,000 on-the-spot fine for careless driving. This carries a maximum fine of up to £5,000 and nine penalty points, depending on the severity of the breach.

Drivers also risk causing an accident on the road by failing to restrain their pet. In extreme cases, breaking this rule could also result in a driving ban and a compulsory re-test.

A number of lesser known rules in the Highway Code could see Brits slapped with fines as large as £1,000 for everything from careless cycling to using their smartphone.

Under rules introduced last year, if a person is supervising a learner driver and touches their mobile phone they could be hit with the massive £1,000 fine.

Using a mobile for any purpose is now seen as “reckless and dangerous” - even just touching the device.

The Highway Code also warns that any “careless” cyclists could see themselves slapped with a fine of up to £1,000 depending on the transgression.

Kate Lally