Howls of protest call driving-with-pets bill to heel
Rep. Garland Pierce, D-Scotland, says he will no longer push to make driving with a pet in your lap an infraction. Instead, he'll seek a comprehensive distracted driving study.
Posted — Updated"We've got other important issues to deal with, so I didn't want to get bogged down in that dogfight," Pierce said Friday.
While there are examples of similar laws in others states – and examples of accidents that have been caused by pets riding in the driver's seat – Pierce said he is unsure if his bill could clear committee, much less pass a floor vote.
This is not Pierce's first time dealing with a distracted driving issue. He was a dogged proponent of a measure restricting texting while driving, a bill that also encountered stiff initial resistance.
"Sometimes, these type of bills create a little bit more reaction than you want," he said.
"I didn't want to put my colleagues between voting for public safety and pet owners," Pierce said.
A study, he said, could give the idea a chance or turn up something more pressing.
"There might be other things that are just as deadly," he said.
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