Mitt Romney has made us well aware that driving with your dog on the roof of the car is a faux pas -- but what about once you have your pup inside the vehicle? New Jersey is reminding us that sitting inside isn't safe enough: pets need to buckle up.

Under state law, NJSPCA officers can stop a driver they believe is improperly transporting an animal -- and they plan on making such stops, and subsequent ticketing, a priority. "You wouldn't put your child in the car unrestrained, so you shouldn't put your pet in the car unrestrained either," said NJSPCA superintendent Col. Frank Rizzo.

Rizzo explained that his officers "will be checking for vehicles traveling to and from the shore areas" with unrestrained animals this summer -- noting that they won't just be looking out for dogs. "Of course a dog traveling on a driver's lap is bad," he said. "But so are dogs hanging their heads out of windows, birds traveling on a driver's shoulder or cats resting on a dashboard."

Raymond Martinez, the chairman of the state's Motor Vehicle Commission, said that in a 2010 survey by AAA, 20% of participants admitted to letting their dog sit on their lap while they drove, and a "staggering" 31% said they were distracted by their dog while driving.

Pet Car Travel Q&A

How do I prepare my pet for car travel?

Begin by taking your pet for short trips and rewarding it with praise and a treat afterward.  Make sure that your dog is used to being in a car before you take it on a long journey.

Can dogs get car sick?

Yes.  Signs of motion sickness include restlessness, drooling, and vomiting.  To decrease car sickness, avoid feeding your pet just before short trips and for 5-6 hours before longer trips.  If necessary, your veterinarian can prescribe medication to relieve your pet’s discomfort.

Is it okay for my dog ride in the bed of my pickup?

No.  Dogs should ride inside the car (or cab) rather than inside a camper or in the bed of a pickup truck.  Dogs can jump or be thrown from an open bed, leading to serious injury or death.

Can I leave my pet in the car if I crack a window?

Never leave any animal in a parked vehicle in warm weather, no matter how briefly.  The inside temperature can skyrocket to a life-threatening level in a few short minutes, even with the windows cracked open.