DETROIT – It may seem like common sense, but people get seriously injured every year in car crashes where riders have their feet on the dashboard.
The Chattanooga Fire Department posted a reminder to their Facebook page last week, warning drivers of the danger:
Recommended Videos
While traveling this weekend, I noticed many passengers had their feet on the dashboard of their car. Airbags deploy between 100 & 220 MPH. If you ride with your feet on the dash and you're involved in an accident, the airbag may send your knees through your eye sockets. This post was viewed thousands of times last year, but it's worth repeating. And yes, the driver and passenger should also be wearing seat belts too!
Many in the Facebook thread posted their stories:
Heidi LeAnne Finney: At 19 I went in a trip to visit my now husband...I had my right foot on the dashboard...it was a beautiful day...windows down, radio up...cruising with my friend in her new mustang...she hit a stopped car doing 65mph...no one in the car was injured except for me...the airbag crushed my ankle, damaged my knee, broke my femur in 2 places and I had multiple face lacerations (from the airbag and my leg hitting me in the face)...this is very real...I've had multiple surgeries...I have 3 huge scars on my leg, knee and ankle...I walk with a limp sometimes...don't let your kids, friends or family ride in your car with their feet on the dash or out of the window.
Amber Ogles: I sadly know someone who was killed this way, and their car was stopped. She was a passenger with her feet on the dash in a parked car in the side of the road. They were hit and the impact sent her knees into her face. Such a terrible accident that could have been avoided in so many ways. Thank you for the awareness.
Catherine Morales: Thank you for sharing, I took this to heart and made it a lesson to share with my daughter. She knows now the reason why I tell her not to put your feet up on the dash on road trips. She knows how much I love her and try to keep her safe.