While it's a treat for your dog to tag along as you drive your kids to school, or run your work errands, the truth is that it's dangerous. Pets are a major distraction, and if you're in an accident, it can be deadly for your furry friend.

One state has already taken a stand: in New Jersey, the police can stop drivers whose dogs are roaming freely, including dogs happily sitting on their owner's lap.

Under New Jersey law, officers can pull over any driver whose dog isn't properly restrained and they can be fined up to $1,000 for each offense. What's more, the driver can be charged with a disorderly person's offense under New Jersey's animal cruelty statutes.

Col. Rizzo said that the NJSPCA would like to see every animal contained or restricted from moving freely in a car, and if that's not possible, they should at least be harnessed using any number of the safety products that are on the market.

Pet Owners Shouldn't Let Pets Be Unrestrained

What people often don't think about is that animals are like flying missiles in a crash. Not only do the flying animals get hurt, but they can hurt their human family members too.

In many jurisdictions, police officers are looking for animals hanging out of windows or unleashed dogs that are traveling in the back of open pickup trucks.

Of course, a dog sitting on a driver's lap is dangerous, but so are dogs with their heads hanging out of windows, or cats resting on the dashboard.

A 2011 AAA/Kurgo survey found that 84% of respondents bring their dogs on car trips but fail to use any kind of a restraint. An unrestrained 10-pound dog in a 50 mph crash exerts about 500 pounds of force, while an unrestrained 80-pound dog at just 30 mph exerts around 2400 pounds of force, according to AAA.

Injured in a car crash with a distracted driver? Contact a personal injury attorney for help!