We’ve all driven down the road only to burst out laughing at a dog with his head out the car window catching air in his cheeks — somewhat akin to the wind in the sails of a boat, only there’s drool flying in all directions.

Chances are if you take a road trip this year, you’ll pass plenty of these scenarios — whether you’re heading out on your next camping trip, exploring some national parks or taking a short drive up the mountain. Dogs are no longer just a lawn ornament: these days, they really live up to their name as Man’s Best Friend. In fact, there are over 60 million U.S. households that own dogs, and that number only continues to rise year over year. So, it makes sense that we bring our furry children with us everywhere we go — that includes dog-friendly places and where it’s not too hot out.

This trend has driven the rise in pet-friendly restaurants, hotels and even shopping malls, which means there are more pups taking to the road than ever before. And while we love seeing Fido in the car, unrestrained dogs can prove to be potentially deadly distractions when accompanying their owners behind the wheel. So, at the height of the summer travel season, we surveyed dog parents about their driving habits to see just how their unrestrained fur children pose risks on the road. Dive into the data below to learn how drivers and dogs engage in distracting behaviors, road safety pet laws and ways to keep Fido, you and others safe on the road.