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Information on Airbags

Intended to work in conjunction with other automobile safety devices, such as seat belts, airbags can lessen or prevent physical injuries to drivers and passengers when an automobile collision occurs. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, automobile airbags saved more than 25,000 lives from 1987 to 2010. Automobile manufacturers have been required to install front-seat airbags in all cars, SUVs, vans and pickups since 1999.

  1. Airbag Modules

    • Manufacturers place airbags in strategic locations to provide the maximum amount of protection for drivers and passengers. Airbag modules include an airbag along with an inflation device to expand the airbag when a crash occurs. Standard front-seat airbags include a driver's-side airbag, located in the steering wheel, and a passenger's-side airbag in the dashboard. Select vehicles also include additional airbags, as standard equipment or as optional equipment. Additional airbags can be installed in roof panels, seat backs and door panels, in front and rear seats.

    Airbag Control Units and Sensors

    • Automobile manufacturers install crash sensors and control units in automobiles equipped with airbags. Crash sensors can be located in the front and sides of vehicles. Crash sensors are designed to send a signal to the control unit, instructing it to inflate airbags when moderate to severe impacts occurs. The NHTSA defines a moderate to severe impact as hitting a solid, stationary obstruction at 8 to 14 mph or higher. Advanced airbag control units can also use other data to determine the need to deploy an airbag, such as the weight of a person occupying a seat, where a person is seated and whether a person is wearing a seat belt.

    Airbag Deployment

    • When a crash occurs and the control unit determines airbag deployment is necessary, the airbag will fill with a gas substance within a fraction of a second. Airbags can deploy at a speed of 200 mph in order to make contact with the driver or passenger as quickly as possible and help prevent injuries. As a person impacts an airbag, the bag begins to deflate as the gas escapes through vents. This prevents the person from being smothered by the airbag. Airbag systems can use powders to lubricate the airbag during deployment; the powders often look like smoke in a vehicle after a deployment occurs.

    Children and Airbags

    • The NHTSA recommends placing all people under the age of 13 in the rear seats of a vehicle. Infants should be placed in specially designed child car seats, facing the rear of the vehicle and secured with a seat belt. The NHTSA makes these recommendations because of severe injuries that can occur when an airbag hits a child.

    Airbag On and Off Switches

    • Although airbags can lessen or prevent injuries in a crash, the force of an airbag deployment can cause physical injuries, even to adults. People who are small, frail or have medical conditions can face a higher risk of injury when an airbag deploys. For this reason, select vehicles offer the option of turning off front-seat airbags.

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