Volvo releases safety recommendations for pets in heavy trucks
Mitigating cab distractions and unrestrained animal risks, Volvo Trucks partners with the Center for Pet Safety to establish road safety standards for long-haul drivers.
Volvo Trucks North America has partnered with the non-profit Center for Pet Safety to publish a safety guide tailored for commercial truck drivers traveling with pets. Industry statistics indicate that over 60% of professional drivers own pets, with nearly 40% bringing them along on routes—representing approximately 800,000 animals traveling in commercial truck cabs across North America.
Designed for motor carriers, fleet managers, and owner-operators, the resource addresses critical cab safety practices to prevent unrestrained animals from causing driver distractions or becoming airborne hazards during sudden braking maneuvers. The guidelines provide practical specifications on selecting crash-tested harnesses and carriers, managing cab climate extremes during mandated rest periods, and maintaining onboard emergency medical kits.
From an operational standpoint, Volvo aligns this safety framework with the rollout of its redesigned flagship Volvo VNL tractor. The initiative provides fleet safety directors with concrete recommendations to standardize pet policies, balancing driver retention and comfort with formal risk management standards on the road.
