I agree that driving with your pup on your lap is a big hazord!!
first of all if the air bag went off it could kill your pet.
I keep my dogs in car seats in the back seat. I even bought my granddog Gidget a car seat bc I saw that Gidget was riding on my daughters lap and I told her that she was crazy. I went out the next day and bought her a car seat and Gidget loves it bc she can see out the window.