How Do Airbags Improve the Safety of Driving a Car?

What do South African motorists know about their vehicles’ airbags? Airbags may seem straightforward, but beneath their surface lies a realm of intricate technology dedicated to your safety. In an era where airbags have become a standard feature, it’s fascinating to explore the concealed technology that assures our protection.¹

Gone are the days when you’d encounter a car without airbags in most cases. South African motorists get these safety devices as standard in most if not all new cars these days.²

Airbags Are Important

Airbags are a vital component of a car’s safety system, a fact underscored by global vehicle safety bodies that assess vehicle safety. While numerous safety mechanisms collectively contribute to a car’s overall safety, many of us place a considerable emphasis on airbags, viewing them as a physical shield safeguarding us against potential collisions with other vehicles, trees, or even telephone poles. ¹

Airbag’s Evolution

The evolution of airbags from their initial use as crash-landing devices for World War II aircraft is remarkable. In essence, their operation remains unchanged: upon detecting an impact, a sensor triggers the rapid inflation of an airbag, which cushions the occupants, slowing their forward movement and preventing contact with hard surfaces within the vehicle. ¹

Airbags now encompass a spectrum of protective measures from their original deployment in frontal collisions. They shield our knees and feet in footwell areas, run along the sides of vehicles to protect against impacts from poles, trees, other cars, and glass, and even extend to the car’s exterior to cushion a pedestrian’s fall. Some vehicles boast as many as four airbags, while others offer double that number. ¹

Airbag Studies

Studies suggest that airbags, combined with seatbelts, decrease the risk of major head injury or death in frontal collisions by over 50%. In 2012, the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) reported that a combination of curtain and side torso airbags reduced the incidence of severe injury and death by 60% in side impacts. ¹

Research in the USA further highlighted the effectiveness of head airbags in passenger cars when struck from the side by an SUV. This indicates that curtain airbags, which remain inflated like enormous cushions upon deployment, help mitigate the compatibility issues between passenger cars and higher-riding vehicles. ¹

However, should you equip your family car with every conceivable airbag? Perhaps not. While these airbags may seem like soft buffers assuring our safety, it takes a specific type of collision to trigger them. For instance, if your car is rear-ended and pushed into the vehicle in front, the sensors may only register the rear impact, assuming that your seat’s headrest will suffice. Only advanced sensor systems, typically not found in small to medium-sized cars, can identify the second impact as warranting airbag deployment. ¹

Consider a scenario where your car rolls multiple times without contacting anything – unless your car is equipped with rollover sensors, the airbags won’t activate. In essence, the comforting cushioning effect of airbags for your head only comes into play during a direct side impact or when rollover sensors go into action. ¹

So, the key to airbag deployment lies in the sensors. Therefore, before you count the airbags, ask the manufacturer or qualified employee at a dealership about the car’s sensor array or, even better, consult the owner’s manual. ¹

Front Airbags

In frontal collisions exceeding speeds of 24km/h, sensors located on the exterior of the car, known as satellite sensors, activate the inflator. The inflator ignites a chemical mix comprising sodium azide and potassium nitrate chemicals, which generate a burst of nitrogen gas that inflates a thin nylon bag. ¹

The driver-side airbag inflates in less than half the time it takes to blink, while the passenger-side airbag requires a similar deployment timeframe. This entire inflation process transpires at speeds of over 300 km/h. ¹

Some Items Consider:

1. If you drive an SUV with curtain airbags, verify it has a rollover sensor.
2. Consider deactivating the front passenger airbag if a child under 13 years old or someone 152 cm tall or shorter will sit in the front passenger seat.
3. Familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s manual to comprehend the capabilities and limitations of your airbags. ¹
4. Always wear your seatbelt.²

Disclaimer

This article is about airbags and road safety. ^{1, 2}

Please confirm all airbag-related information with your vehicle’s manufacturer before deciding to do anything regarding its airbags. ¹

Now you know more about your vehicle’s potential airbags. What about your car’s car insurance, too? Are you thinking of buying car insurance? Affordable car insurance with fixed premiums* and a reducing excess* is on offer with PMD. T’s and C’s apply.

Please get professional financial advice from a certified financial advisor to ensure you select the appropriate financial services product.

• Source:
• 1 https://www.motusselect.co.za/blog/reasons-why-buying-a-demo-car-is-the-same-as-buying-a-new-one
• 2 https://www.arrivealive.mobi/news.aspx?i=54077&s=0&page=Airbags-Always-Wear-Your-Seatbelt

This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.