Airbags in vehicles have been in existence since 1985 but only became popular around 1989, with the airbag on the driver side acting as a passive restraint.1 Airbags are made to provide extra safety for drivers and passengers in the event of an accident.
Airbags are activated by an explosive charge when an accident occurs. Below is some information on what they are and how they work, and some safety tips. 1
What is an airbag? 1
An airbag is a safety restraint that will automatically activate when a car is involved in an accident. Seatbelts are great safety devices when people use them while driving. Airbags play an important role in accidents.
How do airbags work? 1
An airbag system usually consists of at least one airbag, which has multiple sensors and a control module. When a vehicle is involved in an accident, specifically placed sensors are activated, causing the airbag to deploy on impact.
Each airbag is deflated and packed in a compartment found either behind the dashboard, in the steering wheel, seat, etc. Vehicle impact is detected by a control unit which sends a signal to activate the initiator. This, in turn, ignites a chemical propellant, causing the airbag to fill with nitrogen gas within only 30 milliseconds.
As a single-use device, an airbag can only deploy once.
Top safety tips for driving in a car that has airbags2
- Always wear your seatbelt: airbags are only there to help supplement your seatbelt should you be in an accident. Despite the deployment of an airbag, you are still more likely to die in an accident when not wearing a safety belt.
- Sit as far away as possible from the steering wheel or passenger dashboard: sit at least 25 to 30 cm away from the dashboard or steering wheel where the airbag is situated.
- Steering wheel position: if you have an adjustable steering wheel, tilt it down in a parallel position.
- Be careful how you hold your steering wheel: it is best to hold your steering wheel at a 9 and 3 o’clock position or an 8 and 4 o’clock position. This will prevent your wrists and arms from being broken on impact or the airbag forcibly hitting you in the face.
Underage children: place children under the age of 12 years in the rear seat of the car, ensuring they are either buckled up or are secured in an appropriate child seat.
- Child safety seats: never place a rear-facing infant seat in the front seat of the car, as an airbag can cause serious injuries upon deployment. Most child safety seat companies are now making back seat mirrors to enable parents to monitor their child while driving.
Hopefully, we will never experience the deployment of an airbag in our lifetime. However, ‘prevention is better than cure’, as the saying goes, and so it will always be crucial to abide by these safety tips, and thereby safeguarding yourself and your passengers.
Another motoring-related consideration is to have car insurance. Are you looking for affordable car insurance perhaps?
Disclaimer:
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
Sources:
1 https://www.lifewire.com/what-are-airbags-534821
2 https://axleaddict.com/safety/Airbag-Safety-How-to-Avoid-SRS-Airbag-Deployment-Injuries
Remember that an Airbag is only a secondary restraint – Have the driver and all passengers safely secured with seatbelts, car seats or booster seats! https://t.co/teHouUGyXM #ArriveAlive #BuckleUp pic.twitter.com/WC4tuWMmQ7
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) July 5, 2019