AIRBAGS: HO. CO. MARYLAND AUTOMOBILE AIRBAGS REPORT

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Automobile Airbags: Know the Risks

 

There is no question that airbags have saved thousands of lives. In fact, the government estimates that almost 14,000 people have been saved by airbag-equipped cars. However, the government also estimates that almost 150 people have been killed by their airbags, and it is important to know the risks.
A car's airbags fully deploy in 1/25th of a second, or approximately 200 miles per hour. Any object moving this fast can be dangerous, and many cars are still equipped with "first generation" airbags, which deploy only at one speed. Several simple tips can help insure that the airbag does its job properly and doesn't create more injuries than it prevents.

1. Children (who are the most vulnerable to airbag-related injuries) should always ride in the back seat of a car. Young children and infants should be buckled up in an age- and size-appropriate child safety seat.
2. Drivers and front-seat passengers should always wear both their lap belts and shoulder belts to keep them from being thrown into the airbag while it is being deployed.
3. Drivers should make sure that their seats are far enough away from the airbag to avoid the impact from the airbag opening and to give it time to deploy.

Although this advice may be difficult for some drivers, particularly shorter ones, it will help prevent possible serious injury and even death.