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I write in response to Mr/s. Dubroff's article only to note that if manufacturers like Ford or others, warned people to avoid engaging in activities that should appeal to the common sense as risky, then the vehicle would lose all aesthetic appeal because it would be covered in warning labels. Warning labels are used to caution against the most important aspects of vehicle usage and safety concerns, namely belt use and air bags. A driver or passenger that is inundated with warning labels will surely not read or adhere to any of them specifically - though by exercise of common sense may unwittingly adhere to all of them. Tami's accident is tragic, and Ford's potential exposure was evidently significant enough for it to "buy its peace" and avoid a trial, but we as a society must learn to take responsibility for our own errors. Just think about Tami's case for a moment: as a front seat passenger, are you aware that vehicle's sometimes get in front-end collisions? Yes. So, if there is a front-end collision, and you've got your feet up on the dashboard, might you be in store for a world of hurt? Yes. Do you need a label on the dashboard to tell you this? No-it's common sense. But Tami is likely in over her head with medical expenses that will last a lifetime, and she understandably needs some assistance. Still, she cannot reasonably avoid blaming herself for unreasonably putting her feet on the dashboard. It is not as if Ford put a little nook w/ a foot pillow on the dash, encouraging people to put their feet up. Nor did they show people with their feet up in advertising. Auto manufacturers try to protect occupants against foreseeable injuries (largely so that the occupants survive crashes and live to purchase another of their vehicle's!), but they simply cannot protect people against any conceivable injury. People need to take responsibility for their own actions and mistakes, instead of going after manufacturers.

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