It can sometimes be very tempting to put your feet up on the dashboard during a long journey, but it’s actually way more dangerous than you might think…
Audra Tatum from Georgia, USA, received horrific injuries after she was sitting in this position during a car crash. She also wasn’t wearing her seatbelt.
Sitting in the passenger sear with her legs crossed and one foot on the dashboard, Audra ignored her husband’s warning about this being risky.
Just then, a car pulled out suddenly in front of the couple. Audra’s husband T-boned the car, with the front of their car colliding with the side of the other vehicle.
The impact caused the airbag to swell, thrusting Audra’s foot into her face with such a violent motion her nose broke. She also broke her ankle, femur and arm.
She then had to endure numerous operations, as well as weeks of physical therapy. It took her a month to start walking again and even after treatment she still walks with a limp and has to put up with pain on a daily basis.
Doctors have said she could have avoided this painful ordeal if only she had kept her feet placed safely on the floor.
Now Audra is working to raise awareness about the potentially life-changing importance of sitting properly during car journeys.
You can see Audra’s story here:
[ooyala code=”V2Nms4YzE6-0Yx0mhnMzpFRbHFa-mTph” player_id=”5df2ff5a35d24237905833bd032cd5d8" auto=”true” width=”1280" height=”720" pcode=”twa2oyOnjiGwU8-cvdRQbrVTiR2l”]
Talking to NewsChannel9, Audra made the following statement:
I regret it every single day,
Every hour of every day because every time I put pressure on my leg I feel it… Do not sit like that. If you sit like that you’re asking for it.
Such a simple yet important thing to remember…
Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.