The AZ Senate Committee progresses the bill that prohibits pets in the turns of the drivers

The Flagstaff resident and the retired marine pilot Larry Larkin began to notice a trend in the 45 years he has lived in Flagstaff, more and more people led with his pets on their laps.

“I shouted to a gentleman one day with a dog in his lap, and he said: ‘That is a dog of sight’,“ He laughed as he talked to the state Senate Public Security Committee February 19. He compared driving with a pet in his lap to drive on his phone.

Larkin went to the Local Police and the Office of the Sheriff of Coconino County to see if there was any rule against him and quickly discovered that there was no. It set out to change that with its Senate representative, Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff.

Rogers presented bill 1270 of the Senate, which would be excellent for driving with pets in its laps.

The measure was approved with the bipartisan support in the Public Security Committee. Senator David Gowan, R-Sierra Vista, was the only one in the committee of seven people who opposed, saying that the writing needed some work because “animals will simply do what they do in a vehicle sometimes.”

How would this bill affect the drivers of Arizona?

If the legislature is approved by the Legislature, SB 1270 aims to increase road safety by prohibiting motorists from driving with an animal in their lap. Those who violate the rule could face a fine of up to $ 150, with repeat offenders who face more than $ 250. Fines would begin on January 1, 2026.

According to the violation of this rule, it would not be considered for a suspension or revocation of the license, according to the bill.

“This simple but key step will help prevent distractions, reduce accidents and, ultimately, protect both drivers and animals. With civil sanctions for violations, this bill adopts a sensible approach to address a growing concern,” said Rosanna Gabaldón, D-Green Valley, in a statement to the Republic of Arizona.

She voted in favor of the bill during the committee session.

Two animal welfare groups, Arizona’s human voters and the Arizona Animal Defense League have publicly given their support to this bill, together with 13 people.

“Driving with an animal in its lap is a danger to the animal, it is a danger to the driver, and it is a danger to other drivers,” said Karen Michael, who spoke in the name of Arizona’s human voters and the Arizona Animal Defense League. He is a member of the Board of both organizations.

An LGBTQ+organization, Arizona Stonewall Democrats and three people have opposed. Arizona’s Stonewall Democrats could not be contacted to comment.

Other states have a law like this?

Senator John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, in 2018, introduced an previous bill. Senate Bill 1116 He created a $ 100 fine for drivers with an animal in his lap. The bill was on the agenda of the Senate Transport and Technology Committee, but did not receive a hearing.

Hawaii prohibition A motorist who has a pet in his lap and other states can charge drivers under distracted driving laws, laws of animal cruelty or laws against pets without restrictions in a moving vehicle.

Are dangerous pets in the car?

According AAAA 10 -pound -free dog in a clash only 30 mph will exert approximately 300 pounds of pressure.

“He would not take a great collision to be deadly,” Michael said, noting that an airbag display could also hurt or kill the animal.

Distracted driving due to an animal is another concern for legislators and lobbyists. According to distracted driving, more than 3,000 people died in 2022 for distracted driving National Road Transportation Security Administration.

The Arizona Public Security Department does not track specifically incidents related to pets in a vehicle, said DPS spokesman Bart Graves, and there are not many existing data throughout the country that relate distracted driving with pets in the car.

However, it has less than five seconds to be considered a “distracted driver,” said the NHTSA. Distracted driving can include anything, from the use of the phone to a pet that jumps in the car.

There is no law against having a loose pet in the car in Arizona, but serious emphasized keeping his pet appropriately assured to ensure that they are not a distraction. Arizona’s human society spokesman, Joe Casados, also recommended a seat belt to help assure his pet.

Arizona’s human society could not comment on the SB 1270 content.