Across the United States, emergency rooms see millions of car accident victims every year. Many of those injuries could have been prevented, doctors say, if passengers avoided one deceptively comfortable position—resting their feet on the dashboard.
What feels relaxing on a long drive could, in a split second, cause devastating and lifelong injuries.
A Habit That Makes Doctors “Cringe”
Dr. Solomon Behar, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital and MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center in California, said he winces every time he spots a passenger in that position.
“I do a lot of driving on Los Angeles freeways, and one of the things that makes me cringe is when I pass a passenger who has their feet up on the dashboard,” Dr. Behar told Parade.
He explained that the combination of airbag force and the passenger’s forward motion during a crash creates a catastrophic scenario. “The force of the airbag and the forward momentum of the passenger can force the knees and legs into the dashboard,” he said.
“You can get severe, life-threatening injuries such as fractures, dislocations, and ligament injuries to the pelvis, knees, and hips.”
A Split Second With Lasting Consequences
The danger isn’t limited to high-speed crashes. Even a sudden stop can cause major harm, according to Dr. Jacob Snow, a pediatric emergency specialist at Pediatrix Medical Group in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“There is always some risk of being involved in a car accident every time you ride or drive,” he said. “Riding with your feet on the dash adds unnecessary risk.”
When the car abruptly stops, your body continues moving forward. “That can lead to fractures of the leg bones or dislocated joints,” Dr. Snow warned. In more severe cases, airbags—which inflate in just milliseconds—can worsen the injury.
“These airbags are intended to protect passengers,” he said, “but if your legs are on the dashboard, the force of the airbag can severely injure the legs or push them back into your face.”
The Science Behind the Risk
Airbags are designed to deploy at speeds of roughly 100 to 200 miles per hour. When they strike legs that are resting on the dashboard, the result is a violent force that can crush bones, tear ligaments, and dislocate hips.
In some cases, passengers have sustained facial injuries from their own knees being forced backward by the airbag’s explosion.
Dr. Behar said such trauma can have lifelong consequences. “We see fractures that require multiple surgeries, hip dislocations that can cause chronic pain, and even long-term mobility issues,” he said.
The risk is particularly concerning for younger passengers, whose bones and growth plates are still developing.
Permanent Damage for Children and Teens
For children or teens, even one serious injury can change the trajectory of their lives. “If a child sustains a serious hip injury or fracture and damages the growth plate, it can lead to early arthritis,” Dr. Snow explained.
“In some cases, it may result in needing a hip replacement early in adulthood.” These injuries often require months of rehabilitation and may permanently limit movement or athletic activity.
How to Stay Safe
Both doctors agree the safest position in a car is simple: sit upright, feet flat on the floor, knees bent, and always wear a seatbelt. Sitting correctly allows the car’s built-in safety systems—like airbags and seatbelts—to work properly.
Modern vehicles even feature lower airbags designed to protect passengers’ legs in a crash. But these systems only function as intended if passengers remain in the proper seated position.
“Crossing your legs, reclining too far, or lying on your side can all increase your risk of serious injury,” Dr. Behar said.
The Bottom Line
It may look harmless—or even comfortable—but putting your feet on the dashboard can turn a minor accident into a devastating, life-altering event.
Doctors urge all passengers, especially younger riders, to resist the habit. The safest position is also the simplest: sit upright, buckle up, and keep your feet on the floor.
