why is it legal to let your dog ride on your lap while driving?

In most states distracted driving is illegal. Distracted driving is doing anything that would take you attention off of the act of driving some examples are: eating, drinking, talking on a cell phone, texting and having your dog in your lap.

Regardless of whether or not there is a law on the books covering distracted driving in your state, the driver still must maintain control of their vehicle. Failure to do so that results in an accident is their fault.

Because dogs are GODS in our society. No, these people cannot say "no" to their dogs and are not required to do so. We have been programmed to believe dogs deserve special treatment with advertising and propaganda. Count how many commercials use dogs as a selling point. Dogs can kill children and everyone thinks it was just a horrible accident, a natural disaster, and no one is blamed. Dogs can bark 24/7 harassing and terrorizing the surrounding neighborhoods and everyone says "It's just what dogs do" and for some reason this noise pollution is allowed. Dogs are allowed to crap all over parks, beaches, lawns spreading their parasitic diseases all over that cause numerous health problems including blindness and brain disorders, but this is OK because it's what dogs do. Dogs can attack and maim other animals and people, and there are some states that still have the "first bite" law that allows them no consequences for their behavior. Riding in the front seat of a car is just another symptom of the sociopathic mental illness of the epidemic of bad dog ownership worldwide. These people have no common sense, suffer from entitlement delusions and use their dogs for their own selfish needs creating all kinds of problems in our society. www.dogassault.com

If an operator of a motor vehicle has an accident in which a dog is on his/her lap at the time of the accident, then the driver can be charged with "obstructed operation of a motor vehicle". This means that the driver's ability to operate that vehicle was impeded by the dog on his/her lap.

If the dog is not well-trained enough to keep it off the driver's lap, then a restraint such as a leash secured to the passenger seat, or better to a rear seat, is necessary to prevent interference with the safe operation of the motor vehicle.

Ask the author Stephen King how he feels about drivers distracted by their dogs.

Some states is not legal, nor allow them to ride in the open back of a pick-up. So check your city ordinance and if it isn't legal turn them in, because they are an accident waiting to happen.

Because that's the only way he can reach the steering wheel. You'll still have to work the brakes and the gas for him though.

That is ridiculous, she should have her license taken away for a year. She could have killed or paralyzed that officer. What if she had been driving in a school zone. I vote she go to jail.

actually they dont do that as often as you think. a lot of times the dogs are in a large backseat and the passengers are not distracted because there is a grill.

cell phones are also, unpredictable mine rings at the most inappropriate times