Air bags play an important role in helping to keep vehicle occupants safe when they are on the roads. These cushions of air are deployed when there is a crash. A sensor that measures factors that could indicate a crash initiates the chemical reaction that causes the bag to inflate.
While air bags are largely safe, there are some risks associated with them. Comparing the risks of the air bags to the risks of not having them in vehicles shows that they are very important safety features; however, some people might not be able to sit in one of the front seats because it isn’t safe for them.
Types of air bags
There are two types of air bags used in vehicles. The most common is the front option. These usually are present in the steering wheel for the driver and the dashboard for the passenger. There are also side air bags, which help to protect the occupant from slamming into the doors when there is a crash.
One thing that people need to watch for is that there are counterfeit air bags on the market. These don’t provide the same level of protection as the real versions. The problem is that the counterfeit options are more likely to fail to deploy or to have metal shrapnel expelled if the air bag does deploy.
It is best to always use an authorized location to have an air bag replaced or if you need to have any work done on it. This helps to ensure that you have an air bag that will protect you if you are involved in a crash.
Risks with air bags
While most adults can safely sit in a front seat that has an air bag, there are some limitations. A driver who has a very small stature might not be able to safely ride in front of the air bag because they will have to sit too close. People who have certain medical conditions might not be able to ride in a seat with an air bag.
Children who are under 13 years old shouldn’t ride in a front seat unless they have a medical condition that requires them to be supervised from the front seat. In this case, you may need to have an ON/OFF switch installed so the air bag can be turned off when the child rides in that seat. No child who is in a rear-facing infant seat should ride in front of an air bag unless the air bag can be switched off.
If you are involved in a crash, the air bags can offer some protection but injuries are still possible. You might opt to seek compensation from the driver who struck you if you do suffer injuries.
