Airbag Safety Tips Can Save Lives
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), between 1987 and 2008, more than 25,000 lives were saved by the deployment of airbags during car accidents. With such an extremely high success rate, airbags have become an integral part of the construction of all of today's vehicles. However, even more lives can be saved if drivers can start adhering to additional simple airbag safety guidelines.
At Rousch Ford Collision Center, we are all about vehicle safety here in Columbus and all over OH, so we're excited to share this information with you.
One of the most commonly broken airbag safety rules is weight restrictions on front seat passengers.This is particularly dangerous when parents allow children to sit in the front seat even if they do not fully meet the manufacturer's height and weight requirements. In order for airbags to work effectively and safely, front seat occupants must be a minimum of 4’9″ and weigh at least 80 pounds, normally around 12-14 years of age. Even with these outlines, the NHTSA still strongly suggests that all children ages 12 and under should ride solely in the back seat without exception.
Airbags are meant to cushion a passenger or drive in the case of an accident. It protects them from colliding with the steering wheel, or other parts of the car. In order for the airbag to work efficiently, it needs to be 100% inflation in a matter of milliseconds-- and in order for that to happen, the airbag deploys at approximately 200 miles per hour, making it potentially very dangerous.
Following these basic safety tips can prevent injuries to both drivers and passengers in situations where airbags deploy:
-Drivers must be at least 10-12 inches away from the steering wheel. If you are unable to be 10-12 inches away, tilt the steering wheel downward to give you that available space.
-Never place a child car seat in the front passenger position. Carseats are not manufactured to resist airbags and the force of an airbag can seriously harm children.
- Always wear your seat belt without exception. When you get into your car, clicking in your seat belt should become instinctual.
-Passengers should move their seats as far back as they possibly can. Keeping the passenger seat back creates ample time and space for an airbag to deploy completely.
Sources: NHTSA, AAA and CNN
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