Q: My seatbelt will help protect me if I’m involved in a car accident, and I want the same for my dog, Gucci, who often rides with me. What’s the best way to keep him safe? A: You’re wise to restrain Gucci in the car. Not only could he be injured in a crash, but an accident could hurl him against you, preventing you from controlling your car. Unrestrained pets can also cause accidents by distracting the driver or crawling under the brake pedal. If Gucci is a small dog, confine him to a pet carrier secured to the backseat with a seatbelt. If he’s a larger dog and you drive a station wagon, SUV, or van, put him in a crate attached by strength-rated anchor straps to the cargo area. If he’s a big dog and you have only a backseat, secure him in a harness connected to the …