Fire And Ambulance Services Warn The Dangers Of Putting Feet On Car Dashboards

As part of this year’s Road Safety Week, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS), in partnership with East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS), is urging car passengers to avoid the dangerous habit of placing their feet on the car dashboards during journeys. 

In a powerful video demonstration, created and filmed by the trainers at our learning and development centre in Ollerton, the services showcase the life-threatening consequences of this action during a simulated car crash. The video, featuring a dummy with their feet resting on the dashboard, vividly illustrates the serious risk of this seemingly harmless behaviour. 

Gemma Whelbourn, who trains firefighters across the county, created this demonstration along with the other trainers after it became one of her bugbears. She said: “Whilst it might seem like a comfortable position, putting your feet up on the dashboard can lead to catastrophic injuries in the event of an accident.

“In a car crash your body can be forcefully thrown forward, and your feet can be propelled into your face – this can be life-altering and even fatal. Not only that, but if the car was to end up in an accident, the airbags could deploy – which is what is shown in the video – and again, cause serious injuries.”

Both NFRS and EMAS are urging everyone to consider their safety when travelling in vehicles, especially as we enter Road Safety Week. 

Gemma continued: “To prevent injuries happening in this situation, always sit upright and keep your feet on the floor, never rest your feet on the dashboard, and ensure all passengers are wearing seatbelts.

“Our priority is to save lives and prevent further injuries and fatalities, therefore this Road Safety Week we want to continue to remind you of our tips which can make you safer when on the road. 

“Always stick to speed limits, never drink and drive, and refrain from using your mobile devices whilst your engine is on. 

“As we enter the colder months, please drive accordingly to the road and weather conditions, and leave an appropriate gap between you and the vehicle in front.”

So far this year firefighters have attended 511 road traffic collisions across the county, with 167 of them involving casulaties.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Biker Down team join us in the mission to save lives across the county and are hosting two free sessions throughout Road Safety Week to prevent accidents from happening in Nottinghamshire.

The ‘Biker Down’ sessions are a road safety course for motorcyclists and other road users, giving them vital information regarding on scene management, casualty care and road safety. 

These sessions will be taking place on Tuesday 19 November, at Stockhill Fire Station, starting at 6pm, and Sunday 24 November, at Highfields Fire Station, starting at 10am. To confirm your attendance, please head over to the Biker Down Nottinghamshire Facebook Page.

For further road safety information, please visit our website.