Bill to ban pets in lap while driving

Oregon Senator Ginny Burdick has presented a bill that would ban "driving with any animal that obstructs the driver. " Article (April 8th, 2011): http://www.kval.com/news/local/119511244.html

This includes all those who go around with their doggies sitting in their lap. (The article also mentions a hilarious story about someone saved from choking by crashing his car. Irony?)

I have nothing exactly against this. On an intellectual level it makes sense and it's safe-driving to restrain your animal (though admittedly I don't often follow this common sense). But wondering why isn't her efforts going to more important issues...

And is this really credible? really? is there enough evidence behind this, or rather danger, to make this worthwhile to push? Yeah dogs can be distractions, but so can children? and radios, cell phones, bright sunlight, bugs, that itch behind your right knee...

Instead of wasting money and paper and time on a law that is going to be difficult to enforce (because everyone knows our police force doesn't have enough work to do), why not be encouraging and organizing public education on this? Public education about how to travel with a dog in your car (crates, seat belts, etc) would be more effective and accurate then law pushing that's going to be near impossible to enforce. I'd rather have our law enforcement available and responding to my burglarized home rather than writing a ticket for a dog in someone's lap.

Yes! See right here, training! http://www.perfectpaws.com/whytr2.html