Call Now3 Reasons to Never Drive With Your Feet Up
While we know it can be tempting to put your feet up on the dashboard when you’re on a long road trip, we highly recommend that you stop doing so immediately. Why? Because if you are in an accident, you could be in for catastrophic injuries due to the amount of force at which airbags are deployed.
Our after-accident care team at Impact Medical Wesley Chapel explains.
Revealing the Hidden Risks of Driving with Feet Up on the Dash
There are many reasons why putting your feet up on the dash while driving or as a passenger is a dangerous habit, and it’s important to understand them to avoid potential harm. Here are some of the primary reasons why you should never drive with your feet up:
- #1: Driving with your feet up can impair your ability to brake and accelerate quickly. In an emergency, every second counts, and having your feet on the pedals allows you to react quickly and effectively.
- #2: If you have your feet up on the dash when an accident occurs, the airbags will deploy at high speed and force. This can cause serious harm to your legs and other body parts due to their sudden movement. Additionally, because you are not sitting properly in your seat with a seatbelt fastened, you can easily be thrown from the vehicle upon impact.
- #3: Placing your feet on the dashboard also puts you at risk of injury from flying debris that may occur during accidents or sudden stops. Even minor accidents can cause items within the car to become projectiles that can strike passengers at high speeds.
Risky Business: The Danger of Driving with Feet Up
One of the most common injuries associated with riding with your feet up is knee damage. In an accident, your knees can be forcefully pushed up towards your chest causing fractures, dislocations, and tears in ligaments and tendons. This type of injury can result in long-term pain and mobility issues.
Another potential injury that could occur from riding with your feet up is head trauma. If you’re involved in a collision while sitting with your legs extended out, there’s a high likelihood that you’ll hit the windshield or dashboard with significant force.
Further, when you place your feet on the dashboard while driving or sitting on the passenger side, you’re essentially removing any chance of being able to brace yourself if an accident occurs.
This means that if you’re in a collision, your body will be thrown forward at high speeds without any protection or support from the vehicle. This can lead to serious injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord damage, and more.
Even worse, there have been cases where drivers and passengers have been killed instantly upon impact because they were unable to protect themselves due to their position in the car.
Get the After-Accident Care You Need
Remember, driving or riding with your feet up on the dashboard can be very dangerous. Not only can this put you at risk of an accident, but you could also suffer serious injuries as a result.
If you need medical attention due to a driving-related injury, visit Impact Medical Wesley Chapel for treatment and rehabilitation or give us a call at (813) 953-1002. We will help you heal!