As more professional drivers choose to bring their pets along on the road, safety concerns are extending beyond drivers and freight to include four legged companions. Recognizing this growing reality, Volvo Trucks North America, in collaboration with the Center for Pet Safety (CPS), has completed a first of its kind pet safety evaluation on the new Volvo VNL, the long haul flagship of Volvo’s truck lineup.
While some may joke that trucking has “gone to the dogs,” this initiative reflects a serious and increasingly important trend in the industry. According to industry estimates, nearly 800,000 pets travel daily in commercial trucks across the United States, making pet safety an issue that can no longer be overlooked.
Pets Are a Common Companion on the Road
Multiple surveys confirm that pets are a regular part of life for today’s truck drivers. A 2022 Truckstop survey revealed that 56% of professional drivers travel with pets, with two thirds citing companionship as the primary reason. For many drivers facing long hours and extended time away from home, pets offer emotional support, stress relief, and improved mental well being.
That trend continued into 2023, when a separate survey of 500 owner operators found that half regularly travel with pets, often describing them as an essential source of comfort and emotional stability during long haul operations.
Inside the Volvo VNL Pet Safety Evaluation
The comprehensive evaluation took place on December 12 at the Volvo Customer Center in Dublin, Virginia, where CPS experts conducted a detailed, hands on review of the Volvo VNL’s interior environment.
The assessment focused on several critical safety elements, including:
- Strength tested anchor points designed to support pet restraint systems
- Connector options for CPS-approved harnesses and carriers
- Cab layout and space utilization to minimize movement and distractions
Special attention was also given to climate control capabilities, a key concern for drivers traveling with animals. The Volvo VNL’s Parking Cooler system was evaluated for its ability to maintain a safe and comfortable cab temperature for up to eight hours without engine idling, helping protect pets during rest breaks while supporting fuel efficiency and emissions reduction.
Real World Testing With Canine Passengers
To simulate real operating conditions, dogs participated directly in the evaluation by riding around the Volvo Customer Center’s test track. Secured in CPS approved harnesses and carriers, the animals allowed evaluators to observe comfort, stability, and safety during movement, turns, and braking conditions drivers encounter daily on the road.
Raising the Standard for Pet-Friendly Truck Design
“Evaluating the Volvo VNL in person allows us to examine how vehicle design, securement points, and cab layout work together to impact pet safety,” said Lindsey Wolko, founder and CEO of the Center for Pet Safety. “By working closely with Volvo’s engineering and product teams, we can identify the safest locations for pets to ride and help drivers make informed decisions that keep animals secure while reducing in cab distractions especially during high-traffic travel periods.”
A Step Forward for Driver Lifestyle and Safety
This collaboration marks a significant step forward in acknowledging the realities of modern trucking. By addressing pet safety alongside driver comfort, vehicle performance, and operational efficiency, Volvo is helping set a new benchmark for long haul truck design, one that supports both professional drivers and the companions who travel with them mile after mile.
As pets continue to play a meaningful role in driver well being, initiatives like this signal a broader industry shift toward safer, smarter, and more human centered trucking solutions.
