ALT-1 Assessing the overall Safety of Airbags
Though automobile airbags have proven to be quite an advance in car safety, airbags also cause injury and in some cases even death if not properly used.Regardless, the National Safety Council predicts over 1,040 lives were saved due to airbags in 1998. However, nearly 100 children's lives were taken at the hands of an airbag during 1998. These deaths were caused by either the children sitting in front of an airbag in the front passenger seat, not wearing a seatbelt, or not being properly fastened by the seat belt.
Realize airbags in the front-end of a car are not designed for children! Unnecessary death may occur if a child is sitting in front of the airbag in any of the following instances: babies in backward-facing children seats, a small child in a forward-facing child seat, or an older child only secured in their seat by a waist-belt seatbelt as opposed to a shoulder seatbelt.Moreover, the position in which you sit could be a determining factor in whether or not airbags are a safe mechanism. Air bag safety calls for all drivers and passengers in a vehicle to be properly seated with seat belts being worn. Properly seated means being seated with both feet on the ground and the body is in an upright position. Also, a seatbelt should always be firmly worn and be properly secured in place.
In contrast to the safety airbags could provide, an airbag generally deploys at a speed of 200 miles per hour. This speed is required to cushion the rider from a crash's impact but will only prove to be beneficial if the rider is seated and correctly wearing their seat belt.
As previously mentioned numerous times, being seated in the proper position may be the deciding factor in whether or not your airbag will cushion the individual on impact. Being seated too close to the dashboard is not recommended, as the force of an airbag deploying at 200 miles per hour will be too strong. It is recommended, however, that the driver have their seat placed back as far as possible. This recommendation should be adhered to by people of a shorter stature especially because they are closer to the airbag more times than not.
In addition to being seated properly, it is crucial to have your hands at a proper position. Think of your steering wheel as a circular twelve-hour clock. Keeping both hands on the ten and two o'clock position is highly recommended. Also, hands should be placed on the steering wheel on both the right and left side. No more one handed driving!
Are airbags safe? Airbags work by using sensors that will deploy the airbag is a sudden stop or slowing down is occurring. The sensor then picks up on this abrupt change in driving and sends an electric charge to spark a chemical reaction that will in turn deploy the airbag. It is common for airbags to have tethers to properly place the airbag in the center. After an airbag deploys, smoke from the powder or even the reaction may be evident in the air.
Airbags continue to be a hot debate and a controversial technology, despite apparent beneficial safety provided because of the airbag. Numerous safety officials report individuals may be injured by an airbag deploying at a high speed in a low-impact accident or collision. Moreover, there are cases where the airbag failed to deploy when expected, inducing unexpected injuries.
However, at the end of the day airbags have proven themselves to be a benefit to vehicle safety. To experience the full potential of an airbag, keep children seated in the back of the vehicle, never go without wearing a seatbelt, and make sure the seat is far enough back from the dashboard. Enjoy the ride!
