Volvo Trucks North America has released new safety recommendations intended to help commercial drivers protect the dogs and cats that accompany them on the road.
Volvo Trucks North America has released a new pet-travel safety guide addressing restraints, emergency preparation, extreme temperatures, first aid and overnight stops.
The guidance was developed with the Center for Pet Safety, an independent organization that evaluates products and practices intended to protect animals traveling in vehicles.
Volvo says more than 60% of commercial truck drivers own pets and nearly 40% bring a pet on the road. For those drivers, an animal is often more than company. It can be an important source of emotional support during long periods away from home.
However, the inside of a moving tractor can become dangerous during sudden braking, an evasive maneuver or a collision. An unsecured animal can be thrown into the dashboard, windshield or another part of the cab. It can also interfere with the driver’s ability to control the truck.
Volvo VNL evaluated for pet safety
The guidance follows an evaluation conducted at Volvo’s Customer Center in Dublin, Virginia.
Center for Pet Safety specialists examined the Volvo VNL’s anchor points, restraint options and climate-control systems. Dogs secured with certified harnesses and carriers were also evaluated on a test track to determine how the systems performed during real driving conditions.
According to Volvo, the evaluation found that the VNL’s strength-tested anchor points are compatible with harnesses and carriers certified by the Center for Pet Safety.
“Professional drivers spend more hours behind the wheel than almost anyone, and for many of them, their pet is part of that daily routine,” Center for Pet Safety founder and CEO Lindsey Wolko said.
Wolko said the guide provides drivers with practical information about selecting a harness or carrier that can protect an animal during a crash and preparing for emergencies on the road.
The recommendations are not limited to Volvo owners. Many of the safety practices can be applied inside any commercial truck, although drivers should verify that a restraint or carrier is compatible with their vehicle’s mounting points.
Restraints matter inside a moving truck
Volvo recommends properly restraining pets whenever the truck is moving.
A loose animal can become a projectile during a crash or hard-braking event. Even a relatively small dog or cat can suffer serious injuries or strike the driver with significant force.
Pets should not be allowed to sit beneath the pedals, move freely across the dashboard or occupy a position where they could obstruct the steering wheel or the driver’s view.
A carrier or crash-tested harness should be secured to a structurally appropriate anchor point. Drivers should follow the restraint manufacturer’s instructions and avoid attaching safety equipment to interior components that were not designed to handle crash forces.
A restraint should still allow the animal to sit, lie down and remain comfortable without allowing it to reach the driver’s controls.
Temperature risks can develop quickly
Parked trucks can heat up rapidly, even when outside temperatures appear moderate. Cold weather can also create dangerous conditions if a truck’s heating system fails or the engine shuts down unexpectedly.
Volvo’s guidance encourages drivers to consider climate control when planning fuel stops, showers, meals and overnight parking.
Drivers relying on an auxiliary power unit, battery-powered climate system or automatic engine-start feature should understand how the equipment operates and what happens if it malfunctions.
Temperature monitoring equipment can provide an additional layer of protection, but it should not replace regular checks on the animal.
Drivers should also consider ventilation, direct sunlight, humidity and whether a carrier is positioned near a heating or cooling vent.
Prepare for emergencies before leaving
Volvo recommends that drivers carry an emergency kit specifically for their pet.
That kit may include:
- Food and bottled water
- Collapsible bowls
- Necessary medications
- A leash, harness and backup restraint
- Basic pet first-aid supplies
- Vaccination and veterinary records
- Recent photographs of the animal
- Emergency contact information
- An identification tag and updated microchip information
Drivers should also identify veterinary clinics along frequently traveled routes and have a plan for what happens to the animal if the driver is injured or transported to a hospital.
A visible emergency card inside the cab can alert police officers, firefighters or emergency medical personnel that an animal is inside. The card should include the pet’s name, temperament, medical needs and the contact information of someone authorized to take custody of it.
Overnight stops require additional planning
Truck parking creates safety concerns that passenger-vehicle owners may not encounter.
A dog or cat can escape while the driver is opening the door, connecting equipment or inspecting the truck. Busy parking lots expose animals to moving trucks, blind spots, hot pavement, spilled chemicals and unfamiliar noises.
Drivers should use a leash before opening the cab door and avoid walking pets between closely parked trucks whenever possible.
Animals should not be allowed near the truck during backing, coupling or pre-trip inspection activity unless another responsible person has control of them.
Drivers should also carry waste bags and follow the rules established by truck stops, rest areas and other properties.
A safety issue that deserves attention
Pets are a familiar part of life on the road, but commercial vehicle safety discussions rarely address them.
Volvo’s guide brings attention to a risk that many drivers handle individually without industry-wide standards. While the recommendations are voluntary, they give drivers a practical starting point for protecting their animals and preventing distractions inside the cab.
The safest setup will depend on the animal, the restraint system and the truck’s interior design. Drivers should evaluate those factors before beginning a trip instead of waiting until an emergency exposes a weakness in their plan.
For many professional drivers, the animal riding beside them is family. Protecting that animal should be treated with the same seriousness as securing every other occupant of the truck.
