For most people, "protecting yourself from airbags" seems counter intuitive. After all, airbags are designed to protect people. It is true that they lower motor vehicle accident fatalities by 10% over seatbelts alone. However, airbags have actually been linked to the deaths and injuries of many people. There are several steps that you can take to protect yourself from airbag deployment.
First, it is important to know how airbags work. Sensors in the front of the vehicle detect impacts and send a rapid signal for the airbag to deploy. These safety devices should release in about forty-thousandths of a second after the initial impact, which can make it seem like the airbag releases while the impact is still occurring.
While these fast-acting devices must be sensitive in order to deploy at the right time, defective sensors can lead to one of two problems. An overly sensitive sensor can cause the airbag to deploy for no reason. This forceful explosion in your face can lead to wrecks as it blocks your vision and startles you. On the other hand, a sensor that is not delicately tuned enough may not send the signal to deploy, leaving you to crash into your hard steering wheel or dashboard.
Another complaint with airbags is the high-decibel noise that they create when exploding. The force of four airbags deploying has been measured at 170 decibels, which is loud enough to permanently deafen drivers and passengers.
Lastly, studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and National Transportation Safety Board found that 19 adults and 26 children died in car accidents due to airbags' deployment. The force of the exploding airbag can fatally knock a person's head and neck backward.
Thus, although you cannot get your airbag tested regularly, you should prohibit children and petite adults from riding in the front seat of your vehicle. If you are a smaller person, you should try to sit as far away from the airbag as possible while still being able to reach the pedals.
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