Driver Airbags: Safety Precaution or Hazard?
In 1995, driver airbags inflated approximately 780,000 times, saving more than 1100 lives and reducing deaths by approximately 14%, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
But inflating airbags have also been implicated in as many as 18 deaths in the driver's seat, as well as 9 infant and 22 child deaths.
Airbags inflate rapidly to create a buffer between the upper body and the steering wheel and windshield. When a driver comes in contact with an airbag while it is still inflating, injury may result, especially to those who sit with their faces or chests very close to the steering wheel.
Airbag safety tips from the IIHS for drivers include:
Use a safety belt. Most airbag inflation deaths involve unbelted people.
Sit as far away from the steering wheel as possible – approximately 10 to 12 inches.
People who need to sit close to the wheel may be able to raise their seats or tilt the wheel down instead of sitting so close.
Pedal extenders allow drivers to sit further away from the steering wheel and are available from Easy Rider Pedal Extenders at (818) 247-9246.
Children should always sit in the back seat away from airbags, securely fastened by a seat belt.
We are pleased to provide this "Bulletin" as a service to you. While this information was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, its accuracy is not guaranteed. It does not change or alter insurance contracts or coverages.
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