Blue Cross Code
Britain’s roads are dangerous places for our pets – with an estimated 80,000 dogs [1] and 230,000 cats [2] hit by a car every year.
While accidents will unfortunately always happen, here at Blue Cross, we believe it is time to see those eye-watering numbers fall significantly.
That’s why we’ve launched the Blue Cross Code to encourage both drivers and pet owners to be more aware of risks on the road and what they need to do should the worst happen.
In a nod to the famous Green Cross Code campaign of the 1970s, the Blue Cross Code aims to make everyone think more about our nation’s cats and dogs who share the road with us.
The Blue Cross Code has three guiding principles – Paws, Prevent and Protect – for drivers and pet owners to follow.
Paws – stop, look and think. Who else is sharing the road with you?
Prevent – what can you do to reduce risk before you or your pet leaves home?
Protect – what should you do to ensure the best outcome in the event of an accident?
The campaign – launched ahead of the clocks going back and those longer winter nights – comes as new research highlights a lack of awareness around road safety and animals amongst UK drivers.
The study also reveals the majority of UK drivers would unwittingly break the law if they hit a dog with their car.
Under UK law, a driver involved in an accident with a dog must stop and call the police – an action just two in 10 motorists revealed they would take in the circumstances.
More than a third (35%) of young drivers admitted they would prioritise their journey over the wellbeing of a stricken dog.
The research also found that a third (35%) of motorists do not routinely check under their car for cats before driving at night. Only half (51%) of 55-64-year-olds check before travelling.
This comes despite more than half (58%) of cat owners worrying more about them when it is dark, yet two-fifths (39%) make no changes to their pet’s routine when the clocks go back.
Blue Cross is today launching the Blue Cross Code in a bid to encourage drivers and pet owners to be more aware of the dangers on the road, and what to do if the worst happens.
We call on drivers and animal lovers alike to Paws, Prevent, Protect – follow the Blue Cross Code.
The Blue Cross Code: Paws, Prevent, Protect
- Dog owners, keep your dog on a lead if you’re walking by roads and only use an extendable lead in open spaces
- Dog owners, when walking by roads keep your dog on the inside of the pavement
- Motorists, drive slowly and be vigilant for pets crossing the road
- Dog owners, make sure your dog is wearing a collar and tag with your name and address (a legal requirement) and mobile number
- Dog owners, consider reflective harnesses, leads and collars to help your dog be seen when it is dark
- Cat owners, consider keeping your cat indoors when it is dark outside, cats can be startled and blinded by headlights
- Cat owners, reflective collars can be helpful for people to see cats in the dark, but snap collars on cats can easily pop off, so check your cat regularly to see if they’re still wearing their collar.
- Motorists, check no cats are hiding under your car before setting off
- Dog owners, make sure your garden is secure
- Dog and cat owners, all cats and dogs must be microchipped by law
- Cat owners, neuter your pet to prevent them from roaming for a mate
- Motorists, If you accidentally hit a dog, by law you must contact the police in the first instance. If safe to do so, check for owner’s contact details on the dog’s tag
- Motorists, If you accidentally hit a pet find something to cover them (pets in pain may lash out) and take them to nearest vet
Sources
[1] CPRSP
[2] PARLIAMENT.UK