Subaru’s Crash Test Doggies

by Keith Morgan on Sunday, July 12th, 2015

“Pet safety is very important to Subaru as more than half of Subaru drivers are pet owners.”

 

 

Subaru is working with the Centre for Pet Safety to crash test pet safety products.

A recent survey revealed that 56 per cent of North American pet owners drive with their pets aboard and 20 per cent admitted to travelling with a pet in their lap.

Subaru will help promote the safety of beloved four-legged companions by funding the non-profit research and advocacy organization’s testing of pet crates and small carriers in crash situations. The study, designed by CPS, will include an investigation of crate connection options for pet owners who travel with their pets, as well as examine crate and carrier structural integrity, and gather data necessary to formulate testing and crate performance standards.

The partnership continues the work that began in 2013 with the testing by CPS of pet harnesses. The resulting Harness Crashworthiness Study uncovered major differences in performance of popular pet restraints, with many resulting in catastrophic failure that could cause serious injury to both the pet and vehicle passengers. The goal of the study was to highlight the importance of driving safely with pets and to complete the first formal test protocol and independent ratings guidelines for pet travel harnesses, published by CPS in 2014.

“We want to make pet parents aware of proper safety measures they can take to help protect their pets. Following the previous study with CPS, we were delighted to support this next stage in testing,” said Michael McHale, Subaru’s director of corporate communications. “Pet safety is very important to Subaru as more than half of Subaru drivers are pet owners, with over 69 per cent of them owning at least one dog. We feel a sense of responsibility to inform pet parents of safety measures they can take.”

Subaru and CPS will once again enlist MGA Research Corporation, an independent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) contracted testing laboratory, to conduct rigorous crash testing on commonly available pet safety products using realistic, specially designed crash test dogs. The results, including a crate-sizing guide and best practice for securing pets in vehicles, will be shared later this summer.

“No performance standards or test protocols currently exist for pet crates or carriers, and while many pet safety product manufacturers claim to test their products, they can’t be substantiated without uniform test standards and protocols,” said Lindsey Wolko, Center for Pet Safety’s founder and CEO. “We are very excited to once again have the support of Subaru, allowing the independent examination of pet crates and carriers. Subaru understands the importance of safety of all passengers including our four-legged friends.”

Research results can be viewed at www.CenterforPetSafety.org; to view video of the crash-testing visit youtube.com and search Center for Pet Safety.

Contact the writer at keith [dot] morgan [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca