Vehicle Safety - the Vehicle Airbag

Vehicle safety is something that is of interest to all of us. The design and installation of safety equipment for vehicle is no longer something that is only required by the manufacturers of luxury cars. The safety of passengers and drivers of all types of cars are something that has become a non negotiable essential.

One of the safety items that are installed by most manufacturers of passenger vehicle is the vehicle airbag. This safety device is deployed when the vehicle is in an accident. It rapidly inflates to absorb the impact and protect drivers and passengers in traffic accidents.

There are a number of misperceptions about this safety device. The first and most important fact to remember is that the airbag is an additional safety device. This implies that it may not have the desired effect if it is not used in conjunction with other safety devices. The primary safety device is still the seatbelt. Statistics indicate that the risk of death in an accident is reduced by around 65% when a seatbelt is properly used. When combining the use of the seat belt with a vehicle airbag the risk is reduced by a further 15%.

It is a reality that any safety equipment not used properly can result in serious injury or even death. Airbags are no different. If it deploy with occupants positioned too close to the airbag the consequences can result in serious injury or even death. Statistics indicate that since 1990 a total of 149 deaths resulted from airbags deploying in low-speed accidents.

The benefits of vehicle airbags are unquestionably proven, but most of us have seen the safety warnings posted in vehicles and heard the news that they can kill. This is true if they are not considered as additional safety equipment. It should be remembered that vehicle airbags are not soft pillows they are balloons of air that inflate with explosive energy. They only work effectively when occupants are safely buckled in to allow the airbag sufficient time to deploy before the impact of the occupant is absorbed by it.

Drivers and passengers should be aware of the ways to increase airbag effectiveness. Safe drivers and passengers that are seated where airbags are installed will ensure that they know the type and location of the vehicle airbags. They will wear seatbelts correctly and will maintain at least 25cm between the steering wheel airbag and their breastbone. Drivers will hold the steering wheel on the sides to reduce the risk of arm and hand injuries during the deployment of the airbag. The traditional 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions are the safest. It is wise to tilt the steering wheel down to a position where the airbag deployment force is direct away from the head and neck. It is also important to keep arms and feet off of the airbag areas and avoid leaning against side impact airbags. Finally it is not wise to have items covering the location of the airbag.

One may think that vehicle airbag fatalities are a rare occurrence, but with attention to safety precautions, everyone can ensure that this very important safety device will not cause serious injury or death but will have the desired reduction in risk by using it properly.

© 2009 Carl Marx