How Do Airbags Protect You In An Accident?
How do airbags protect you during an unfortunate collision? For many, the knowledge that these bags are reliable is enough to bring peace of mind. However, understanding the process that occurs during an accident can help you do other things that will protect your family during an accident.
For example, do you know the important role your windshield plays in the airbag deployment process? It helps guide the airbags backward so that they cushion you and your front-seat passenger appropriately. If your windshield has weaknesses in it that cause it to shatter more readily in an accident, it can’t do this job as effectively. That’s why it is important to get windshield cracks and chips repaired ASAP.
To learn more about airbags and preventative measures you can take, read on.
The History of Airbags
Airbags are fabric bags that can be inflated with air during a collision to cushion the blow between a person within the car and hard or sharp surfaces. How do airbags protect you? As an example, an airbag can protect your head from striking the steering wheel. Two dentists were the first to patent this basic concept back in 1919. However, they were thinking more of planes. Two people — one in the U.S. and the other in Germany — patented ideas for car airbags within three months of each other in 1951.
While Ford and Chrysler automakers experimented with crash systems, General Motors was the one to really get the jump on including airbags in vehicles in the 1970s. The auto industry was divided about the concept, with even some early proponents of the idea taking a step back from airbags, but it was eventually required that cars either be equipped with these or seat belts in the 1980s. In the 1990s, it became airbags and seat belts.
The history of airbags is quite interesting and still an ongoing process.
Types of Airbags
Different types of airbags are situated around a vehicle. For example, front airbags are mounted under the steering wheel and in the passenger side dashboard to try and protect the chest and head. While softer than hitting the dashboard, these airbags can still pack quite a punch, which is why children under 12 should sit in the backseat instead.
It’s also important to sit and wear your seat belt correctly to minimize the risk of injuries in a collision. What does this mean? First off, you should adjust your chair so that the steering wheel is about three inches below your eye level. The headrest should just touch the back of your head. Your seat belt should fit across the middle of your chest and across your shoulder, not tucked in against your neck. Meanwhile, the belt in your lap should go across your hips rather than your stomach.
Meanwhile, there are also side airbags to protect passengers from sideways collisions and knee airbags to protect these vulnerable joints. You might also have a car with an inflatable seat belt that helps to spread the force of a collision over a wider area. To learn more about these different components, don’t hesitate to reach out to the experts at our body shop in Lexington, KY.
Minimum Speed for Airbag Deployment
Airbags rely on sensors to let them know when a crash is occurring. While it’s important for them to react in a time of crisis, it is also crucial that they don’t react prematurely since that can also risk your safety. As such, there is a minimum speed for airbag deployment. This specific speed can depend on your automaker and model but often ranges from 10 mph to 16 mph since that is when an impact is more likely to be dangerous.
That being said, even if you get into a minor fender bender that you think is mostly cosmetic, it is still crucial to come into our dealership. Your vehicle might need more serious car frame repairs than you can see with your naked eye, and a collision of any sort could affect the airbag release system. You don’t want to take that chance if you’re driving with your family.
Get Collision Repair in Lexington, KY
We hope this answers the question of “How do airbags protect you?” However, if you have more you want to know about this or other car safety questions, we encourage you to reach out to our team today. You can also rely on us in the case of an unfortunate accident. We make it easy to schedule a free estimate and work our hardest to make the entire process as stress-free for you as possible, which includes communicating with your insurance provider on your behalf. Let us know how we can help you today.