Just off the wire:

Pets may have to buckle up in U.K.
July 14, 2000

LONDON (Reuters) -- Seatbelts and insurance for pets could be the next expense for motorists on British roads.
The popularity of Britain's "passports for pets" scheme prompted a motoring organization and a chain of veterinary clinics to issue pet travel guidelines on Friday.
The RAC Foundation and Companion Care Veterinary Surgeries urged motorists to take out insurance covering them for any damage or accident their pet could cause because of its presence in a vehicle.
"The owners of pets which cause road traffic accidents can find themselves personally liable, especially when personal injury is involved," the RAC Foundation said.  Motorists, already taxed by the highest gas prices and new car costs in Europe,
were urged to fit seatbelt-like restraints for their pets.
A RAC survey showed that nearly all motorists who travelled with their pet had been distracted by it. About 11 percent of these motorists said this distraction had almost caused a crash.
"In a 30 mph (48 km/h) collision, an unrestrained dog can be thrown forward with the force of an elephant," said RAC Foundation executive director Edmund King. "In such a collision this would potentially kill the driver and the dog."
Britain relaxed its century-old quarantine laws in February with the introduction of a pet passport scheme allowing animals from 22 European countries to skip quarantine if their owners can prove they are free from rabies.

People, if you travel with Fido in your car, be sure to put your dog's seat belt on! Only rarely will Fido put his seat belt on (did you say never?). In California, it's the law, for humans anyway. Don't you like your dog better than some people??? In Palo Alto, CA you never know when you're going to meet one of your brothers in the middle of an intersection after he ran a stop sign!!!! Cars are dangerous to dogs. What, Fido doesn't have a seat belt??? These harnesses are sold at most pet stores and they allow you to put a seat belt (CLICK HERE for photo of one on Tiger)on your four legged powder puff and lover. You can always take the harness off before he gets to the dog park. Especially if it's too tight. Ask your vet if you're not sure. That 's probably a free visit. What, you don't have a vet? Poor Fido. Ok, but do you have pet insurance? Since I rescued Maggie, I've heard horror stories of financial troubles caused by people not having pet insurance on the dog!! Get hip, ladies and germs. Don't live on the edge!! Been there, done that. It ain't worth it.

Come to a full stop at stop signs. Newton said no motion!!! Remember when you took your driving test? Did you stop dead at the stop sign? You know you did!! 'else you wouldn't get a license!! Running stops signs should not be dismissed with the shrug of a shoulder or twisting your eyebrow. We're talking about maybe your life. Stop at stop signs!!

For more on driving tips, go to Dave's Page

Does this news story sound like a reason for putting seatbelts on Fido?

JUNE 20, 02:10 EDT 1999

Stephen King Struck by Car in Maine

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) - Horror author Stephen King was seriously injured when he was
struck by a van while walking near his home Saturday, police said.

King was walking south on the shoulder of Route 5 in North Lovell, where he owns a home, at
about 4:30 p.m. when a motorist approaching from behind lost control of his Dodge Caravan
because of a dog that was loose inside, Oxford County Sheriff's deputy Matt Baker said.

Officials at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston said the 51-year-old King was in serious
but stable condition. King suffered ``significant'' injuries including broken bones but was
conscious and alert, hospital spokesman Laird Covey said.

King underwent surgery early Sunday morning, according to a nursing supervisor. The
supervisor did not reveal what kind of surgery King was having but said it was expected to last
several hours. The official added that King's injuries were not considered life threatening.

According to witnesses, the driver, Bryan Smith, 41, did not appear to be speeding, Baker said.
He said charges will not be filed against Smith.

Baker, who responded to the accident, said King was lying in a depression about 14 feet off the
road and appeared to have been thrown by the collision. The van's windshield was broken and
the right front corner of the car was crunched in from the impact of striking him, he said.

``He was hurting, but he was able to communicate,'' Baker said. ``He was talking to me. He
gave me phone numbers of where to call his family.''

``He was in a lot of pain,'' he said.

Baker said he could tell King's leg was broken and he was bleeding from a laceration on his head.

Baker said he didn't know where King was going.

``I see him all the time, walking,'' he said. ``It's just like anybody going out for a walk in the
evening.''

King lives in Bangor, Baker said, but also owns a home in the town of North Lovell, about 115
miles to the southwest.

King has written more than two dozen novels, including ``The Shining,'' ``Carrie'' and ``Pet
Sematary.'' King's ``The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon'' is on several best seller lists this
weekend.

Follow up: 12/7/2000 SF Chronicle-

The driver who hit King died 9/22/2000 of a drug overdose. Bryan Smith, 43 of Fryeburg, Maine died of an over dose of Fentanyl according to toxicology reports. Smith, who suffered from a back injury unrelated to the accident, had been prescribed the painkiller not long before his death. His family also said he suffered bouts of depression.