Khaberni - Doctors in the emergency department have warned car passengers, who feel overly comfortable in their seats and put their feet on the dashboard to relax during road trips, that this habit, which seems harmless, could cause serious injuries.
Placing feet on the dashboard is extremely dangerous. In the event of a sudden stop, the body continues to move forward with the momentum of the car.
Hip fractures
If the feet are on the dashboard, it could force the legs into a position that causes serious injuries, such as: hip fractures, bone fractures, and joint dislocations.
According to "Daily Mail", in addition, the airbags deploy with immense force during a collision. If the passenger's feet are on the dashboard, the airbag can impact the legs with enough force to cause fractures, dislocations, and other serious injuries.
Seatbelt
The seatbelt is the primary safety feature in the event of a collision, but this security measure is compromised when the feet are on the dashboard.
In this position, the seatbelt cannot properly secure the passenger, increasing the risk of them being propelled forward. This could lead to severe head injuries, bone fractures, or even being thrown from the vehicle.
Also, having the feet on the dashboard obstructs the passenger's reaction and prevents them from quickly preparing for sudden stops or obstacles, endangering all passengers.
Dr. Solomon Behar, emergency doctor at Miller Children's and Women's Hospital in Long Beach, California, said: "I drive a lot on the highways in Los Angeles, and one of the things that bothers me is when I pass a passenger with their feet on the dashboard."
Placing feet on the dashboard significantly changes the passenger's position, and thus the function of the seatbelt, leading to a series of vulnerabilities in the event of a collision.
The safest position
Dr. Behar added, "Sitting upright with the feet on the floor is the safest because it allows the seatbelt and airbag systems to function as intended, distributing the forces more evenly and actually reducing the risk to the legs and pelvis."
The emergency doctor explains, "In the event of a collision, this position could lead to a fracture in the hip joint socket in the pelvis, putting the entire hip structure at risk, and often requiring extensive reconstructive surgery."
The femur may break near the hip or just above the knee due to the pressure of bending, and the kneecap may shatter as it is crushed between the femur and the dashboard.
Dr. Jacob Snow, a pediatric emergency specialist at Pediatrics Medical Group in Las Vegas, Nevada, said: "Cars are designed to protect seated passengers with their feet on the floor."
Airbags for the legs
This prevents the risk of twisting the legs or pushing them back towards the face by the dashboard itself or the airbags. Additionally, many cars have special airbags designed to protect the legs.
The airbag opens at speeds ranging from 100 to 220 miles per hour. If the passenger's feet are on the dashboard at the moment of deployment, the explosive force can push their knees back with enough force to cause severe injuries to the face and head.
