WITH more than eight million dogs in the UK it is safe to say they are definitely man's best friend.

With the stunning countryside afforded to Cumbrians, whether it is a beach on the west coast or the highest peak in the Lake District, there are ample opportunities to get out and about with a furry friend.

However, a startling number of people may not be aware travelling with a pet in their car could put their life and the life of their beloved animal at risk.

Laying down the law is rule 57 of the Highway Code. It states: "When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves."

On top of this rule it says a harness, dog carrier or cage must be used to ensure the safety of the animal, and the driver.

Pet expert and vet Rebecca Ashman, from animal charity PDSA, has valuable advice for people wanting to travel safely with pets.

She said: "Something I frequently see is pets travelling in cars unrestrained which is a recipe for disaster. Not only can pets distract or impede the driver if they move around in the car, they could get severely injured in the event of an accident. They can also cause serious injury to other passengers if they’re thrown forward in a collision.

"To avoid these problems try introducing your pet to travelling in a car from a young age will as it will help to reduce any stress or anxiety. Start by leaving doors open when the car is parked in a safe environment, such as your drive.

"Allow them to explore the vehicle, coming and going as they please and get them used to their restraint or carrier in the same way. Then introduce them to short journeys, gradually building up to longer ones when your pet is not upset by the travelling."

Ms Ashman also advised walking a dog before a big journey to get their energy levels down and making frequent stops to keep them hydrated and to let them relieve themselves.

Combined these steps should ensure any dog is as happy as they can be when travelling.

A happy dog will be a safe dog but there are still rules in place on how a pet should be kept restrained when travelling.

Although a dog's face lolling out of a window may look funny, or it cuddling up to a driver during a journey may look cute, but can pose serious risks to both man and animal alike.

Although there is no punishment in the highway code for not strapping in animals when travelling, drivers could face criminal prosecution for driving.

If a motorist caused an accident stemming from an unrestrained animal they risk invalidating their insurance, a fine of up to £5,000 and nine penalty points if convicted.

In spite of the strict rules and punishments for not restraining dogs a study conducted by the Dogs Trust showed there was a low awareness to the rules surrounding travelling with pets.

It found one in five people regularly travel with their pooch unrestrained in the car, with a shocking 10 per cent take their hand off the wheel to control their dog, and five per cent saying they have driven with a dog in their lap.

Dr Rachel Casey, director of canine behaviour and research for the Dogs Trust, said: "Dogs are such an important part of people’s lives so it’s understandable that owners want to take them out and about with them. However, our survey shows many people don’t know the safest way to travel with their dogs and some are even unwittingly breaking the law by letting their dogs roam around the car whilst they are on the move."

Fortunately there is a huge range of safety devices for pet owners on any budget. From at little at £10 pet owners can pick up a safety harness which straps a dog in through a car's seat belt. For larger dogs there are also boot cages or carriers which can be purchased from a range of high street or online retailers.

With a wealth of information out there and greater awareness being raised on animal welfare every day, hopefully dogs and drivers alike will be able to travel happily and safely.