Facts About Air Bags

Air bags are regulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and are required in all passenger vehicles. Air bags inflate immediately and with great force in the event of a moderate to severe collision to protect occupants from injury or death.

Types

Air bags comprise two major types: frontal air bags built into the steering wheel and instrument panel of a vehicle, and side air bags built into the seat backs, doors or roof.

Inflation

Frontal air bags inflate when a vehicle collides head-on with a hard surface, or when it hits a curb or a median, a deep pot hole, or the bottom of a steep slope. Air bags won't deploy if a vehicle rolls or hits a tree or a utility pole.

Effectiveness

Frontal air bags work with seat belts to protect a person from hitting his head and chest against the steering wheel, instrument panel or windshield. In a side impact, air bags protect a person's head and torso.

Requirements

The NHTSA requires that all passenger vehicles manufactured after 1999 be installed with frontal air bags. Side air bags are optional.

Considerations

Deployed air bags are very hot to the touch and can cause burns. Air bags inflate very powerfully within the first 0.05 seconds of a collision, are very loud and give off a white smoke.

References

• Questions and Answers about Airbags
• Airbag Facts

Resources

• Air Bag Safety
• Air Bag Safety Facts
• Air Bag Q&A