Ask Pete

[#1]

I often hear about drivers' pet peeves in the course of their asking me a question, so this week I thought I'd address one of them: using the front seat of a car as a living room recliner. Have you ever noticed while on the road a passenger in another vehicle riding with their feet up on the dash...usually with their shoes off? Has a passenger in your vehicle ever done this? I imagine that on a long, boring trip it is probably a bit more comfortable, but let's face it. It can be dangerous!

By not sitting upright, you are reducing the effectiveness of the vehicle's primary restraint system (the seat belt) and rendering the supplemental restraint system (the air bag) ineffective. In fact, chances are good that the air bag will work against you and cause severe injury should it deploy—causing foot, ankle and/or leg injuries.

Compromising safety for comfort isn't worth it! Be safe...and keep your feet on the floor!