On National Dog Day, AAA is reminding Illinois pet owners that car safety includes their four-legged passengers, too. A new AAA survey found that while 88% of Illinois dog owners believe restraints are important, nearly one in three (31%) still allow their dogs to ride unrestrained. The top reasons drivers cited are often relatable:
- 50% – So they can stick their head out the window
- 26% – I don’t own a proper restraint for the dog
- 21% – I feel bad for them if they ride in a crate
“We get it. Dogs love car rides,” said Molly Hart, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “But in a sudden stop or crash, an unrestrained dog can be thrown across the vehicle, seriously injured, or even ejected. Securing your dog before every trip is one of the simplest ways to protect a member of your family.”
Even Good Dogs Can Distract Drivers
The danger is not limited to a crash. Dogs that move freely around a vehicle can create distractions that pull a driver’s attention from the road long before an emergency occurs. Illinois pet owners report behaviors such as barking, seeking attention, moving between seats, and jumping into the front seat.
Half (50%) of Illinois dog owners say their dog’s behavior has affected their driving, such as taking their eyes off the road or a hand off the steering wheel to braking or swerving suddenly or missing a traffic signal.
“Even the best-behaved dog can become a distraction in the car,” Hart continued. “A sudden bark, a nudge for attention, or a move toward the front seat can take a driver’s focus off the road. Securing your dog helps protect them while allowing you to keep your attention on driving.”
AAA Tips for a Safer Ride with your Dog
AAA encourages dog owners to think about securing dogs the same way they think about buckling up children or fastening their own seat belt before every trip. The goal is to keep the driver focused, keep pets safe, and reduce the risk of injury if traffic stops suddenly or a crash occurs.
- Use vehicle-specific restraints before every trip: Secure dogs in a properly sized restraint, carrier, or crate designed for vehicle use, not a regular walking harness or leash. Use it every time, even for short trips close to home, and choose independently crash-tested products when possible.
- Keep pets out of the front seat: The back seat helps prevent pets from interfering with controls or visibility and keeps them away from front-seat airbags.
- Practice before a longer drive: Let dogs get comfortable with the restraint at home and on short rides so the safety device does not become a new distraction.
- Do not reach for a loose pet while driving: If a dog needs attention, pull over safely before adjusting the restraint, offering water, or calming the pet.
- Plan for stops and temperature safety: Build in breaks on longer trips and never leave a pet unattended in a parked vehicle.
“The good news is this is an easy problem to fix,” Hart said. “A properly fitted restraint, carrier, or crate can help keep your dog safe, reduce distractions, and give you greater peace of mind every time you hit the road.”
AAA Resources for Pet Owners
Keeping pets safe and comfortable on the road can add up, but AAA can help. Members have access to pet travel tips, pet-friendly hotel information, road trip planning tools, and select pet-related discounts that can make traveling with a dog easier and more affordable.
Dog owners can visit AAA.com to find pet-focused resources and put their AAA benefits to work before the next drive, vet visit, or weekend getaway.
About the AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey
The AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey was conducted online among Illinois residents from August 5–13, 2026. A total of 200 dog owners completed the survey. Survey results asked for all respondents have a maximum margin of error of ± 6.9 percentage points. Responses are weighted by age and gender to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the adult population (18+) in Illinois.
About AAA – The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group (ACG), named a 2026 Forbes Most Trusted Company in America, is the second-largest AAA club in North America, with more than 13 million members across 14 U.S. states and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG is part of the national AAA federation, which serves more than 66 million members across the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, download the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow us on social media.
***Courtesy of The Auto Club Group***
