Airbag Use: Protection and Safety Problems
Airbags are being used to protect vehicle occupants from deaths and injuries since they were first introduced in the 1980s. If they are properly used and installed, they can provide a “soft pillow” to both passengers and drivers upon impact. According to statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), frontal airbags saved 13,967 people from fatal injuries between 1987 and 2003.
In addition, statistics show that this safety feature can lessen the risks of death in direct frontal vehicle accidents by at least 30%.
Safety Concerns
Different experts have warned people that airbags can be dangerous if the vehicle occupants failed to use their seatbelts properly. They might be the cause of death or injuries of unrestrained people, specifically children, in the event of an accident. Statistics show that as of October 1999, around 84 children have sustained fatal neck or head injuries because of airbags.
These children were found to be improperly restrained or unrestrained at the time of the accident. Because they are not protected by their seatbelt, they moved close or on top of the airbag as it started to inflate.
In order to avoid deaths and injuries caused by airbags, people should follow these tips:
• Remember that people who are seated in front should be properly restrained by their seatbelt. In addition, they should not lean too close to the airbags.
• Make sure that your child is wearing his seatbelts. Do not forget that airbags are supposed to work with seatbelts.
• Children who are younger than 12-years-old should be properly restrained at the back seat. Meanwhile, infants who weigh at least 20 pounds or less must be placed in a properly installed and rear-facing child safety seat.
Injuries Caused by Defective Airbags
In general, airbags are manufactured to become an additional safety feature in vehicles. Cars that have airbags were considered to be much safer compared to cars that only have seatbelts.
However, experts found out that airbags can become the cause of injuries during an accident, especially if they possess certain defects.
Airbags are supposed to deploy or inflate upon impact. Defectives ones may cause harm to people when they suddenly deploy even if there is no accident. When this situation happens, drivers can lose control of their vehicle and trigger a road crash.
Defective airbags can also fail to deploy when needed, thus causing the driver to hit the steering wheel upon impact.
In addition, statistics show that this safety feature can lessen the risks of death in direct frontal vehicle accidents by at least 30%.
Safety Concerns
Different experts have warned people that airbags can be dangerous if the vehicle occupants failed to use their seatbelts properly. They might be the cause of death or injuries of unrestrained people, specifically children, in the event of an accident. Statistics show that as of October 1999, around 84 children have sustained fatal neck or head injuries because of airbags.
These children were found to be improperly restrained or unrestrained at the time of the accident. Because they are not protected by their seatbelt, they moved close or on top of the airbag as it started to inflate.
In order to avoid deaths and injuries caused by airbags, people should follow these tips:
• Remember that people who are seated in front should be properly restrained by their seatbelt. In addition, they should not lean too close to the airbags.
• Make sure that your child is wearing his seatbelts. Do not forget that airbags are supposed to work with seatbelts.
• Children who are younger than 12-years-old should be properly restrained at the back seat. Meanwhile, infants who weigh at least 20 pounds or less must be placed in a properly installed and rear-facing child safety seat.
Injuries Caused by Defective Airbags
In general, airbags are manufactured to become an additional safety feature in vehicles. Cars that have airbags were considered to be much safer compared to cars that only have seatbelts.
However, experts found out that airbags can become the cause of injuries during an accident, especially if they possess certain defects.
Airbags are supposed to deploy or inflate upon impact. Defectives ones may cause harm to people when they suddenly deploy even if there is no accident. When this situation happens, drivers can lose control of their vehicle and trigger a road crash.
Defective airbags can also fail to deploy when needed, thus causing the driver to hit the steering wheel upon impact.
Labels: airbag use
posted by Mesriani Law at
7:55 PM
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