The act of resting feet on the dashboard is commonly a sign of a relaxed attitude, but when it comes to safety in cars it may be better to consider twice before putting your feet on the dashboard. Though it is not an illegal act per se in many regions where one can place his/her feet upon the dashboard when inside a moving vehicle, it is incredibly risky and can cause severe injuries or even death in case of an accident.
A Brief Safety Data Table
| Position in Car | Legal Status | Safety Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Feet on dashboard | Not illegal | High risk in crashes |
| Proper seating & belts | Legally required | Ensures maximum protection |
| Reclining seat | Generally allowed | Low risk if feet down |
Why It’s Dangerous
The primary danger of having your feet on the dashboard is occasioned by airbag deployment in the case of collision. Airbags inflate at scalding speeds up to 300km/h. When an airbag goes off when you have your feet on the dashboard, your legs will be smashed backward against your body, and they can dislocate, break, or sustain crushing injuries as your legs strike your head or upper body. Furthermore, airbags will cushion your head and your torso; the presence of legs can disrupt this cushioning and increase the damage to you.
The legal consideration is to make sure that everyone in the vehicle is wearing a seatbelt and that all body parts are not hanging out of the vehicle. No particular legislation is prohibiting the foot on the dashboard posture. With that said, police officers have cautioned passengers and drivers of the perils. There have been cases where motorists have been pulled over because of the position of the passengers which was unsafe and the officers impose a warning instead of fines. Finally, the driver must be in control of all the passengers and he or she should demand safe seating behaviors.
No matter how much homework they have completed, passengers and drivers need practical guidance on what to do in different situations.<|human|>Passengers and drivers require practical advice on what to do in various situations regardless of the amount of homework they have done.
The passengers may desire to put their feet at ease by having their legs extended in case of long distance journeys or air conditioning their feet with air conditioners, however, safety above comfort is essential. It is generally alright to recline a seat, although placing feet on the dashboard is not a good idea. When a passenger makes an insistence and demand of putting feet up, drivers must remind them of the dangers and ask them to hold on with their feet down. This little precaution will save severe injuries in accidents.
FAQs
Does placing feet on the dashboard whilst driving illegally exist in any state of Australia?
No, there is no Australian law stating that feet on the dashboard is banned, but is highly discouraged under safety considerations as well.
What is the outcome when the airbag explodes even when feet have been placed on the dashboard?
The leg can be hurled back by the airbag with broken bones and serious injuries as the legs strike on the upper body and head.
Is it possible to impose fines on drivers when their passengers place their feet on the dashboard?
The fines are normally not given, the police can give warnings to the drivers and passengers concerning the dangers involved.
In short, even though it may appear that the comfort of sitting on feet on the dashboard is more than comfortable, this is not the case because the safety threats are very high. To save lives and by encouraging safer road habits, drivers must make sure passengers keep their feet down in case of a crash to minimize the chance of people getting injured.
