Pets on lap while driving may soon be a no-no in Calif.

By Associated Press

11:44 AM EDT, May 6, 2008

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Pull over and put down the dog. A California lawmaker wants to ban motorists from holding pets on their laps while driving and getting caught can net a $35 fine. The bill passed the Assembly on a 44-11 vote on Monday, and heads to the Senate.

Assemblyman Bill Maze says his legislation has nothing to do with pet-loving celebrities who are photographed driving around Los Angeles with their small dogs.

Maze says he introduced the bill after seeing a woman driving with three dogs on her lap.

He says pets are a distraction that put motorists and their passengers at risk.