COMPANY car drivers should be encouraged to restrain pets they carry in cars, according to the UK’s largest leasing company.

It comes as the results of a survey suggest three-quarters of company car drivers receive no safety guidance from their employers when transporting pets.

Asked by Lex Vehicle Leasing if their company insists that any pets are stored securely during transport in a company vehicle, almost 75% of survey respondents said no.

The company said that in a 30mph accident, an unrestrained 50lb border collie would be thrown forward with a force equivalent to nine 12-stone men.

They should be warned that a pet can also be the cause of an accident by attempting to jump on to the front seats.

Lex bosses say using a special restraint will make the animal feel more secure in a car and many can now be requested from manufacturers when ordering a new company vehicle. A spokesman said: ‘With Lex able to spread the payments over the leasing period, the extra cost of having factory fitted restraints is minimal.’