Questions & Answers Regarding Air Bags

The following questions and answers dealing with strategies to reduce the risk of death and injury associated with the deployment of air bags. This information was obtained and adapted from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) web page at http://www.nsa.nhtsa.dot.ov/airbag.

Q: I'm a short person, so I sit very close to the steering wheel. What can I do to avoid serious injuries from the air bag?

A: The number of drivers killed by air bags is small and that many more drivers are saved by air bags than are killed by them. A majority of the drivers killed by an air bag were not using their safety belts. All drivers need to be properly belted and sit as far away from the air bag as possible to allow the air bag to deploy. Short drivers should move the driver's seat rearward to allow as much space as possible between the driver's chest and the steering wheel. The seat back may be tilted back slightly to help maximize his distance. To the extend possible, the driver should hold the steering wheel from the side so that his or her arms aren't between the driver and the air bag. This arm positioning will allow the bag more room to deploy.

Q: At what height and weight is an individual considered at risk when driving a vehicle equipped with an airbag?

A: There is no precise height and weight at which an individual is considered to be at risk. The primary determinant as to whether an individual will be injured by a deploying air bag is the distance from which the individual is seated from the air bag.

Q: What is considered a safe distance to sit from the steering wheel in an airbag equipped vehicle?

A: All drivers need to be properly belted and sit as far from the air bag as possible to allow sufficient room for the air bag to deploy. Short drivers should move the driver's seat rearward allow sufficient room for space between the driver's chest and the steering wheel, and the seat back should be tilted back slightly. There is no precise distance that will guarantee that no injuries will occur because air bags are unique for each vehicle class and deploy with different forces. It is recommended that drivers refrain from leaning forward and, to the extent possible, should hold the steering wheel from the side so that his/her arms aren't between the driver and the air bag.

Q: Is it safe for short adults to be seated in the front passenger seat of a vehicle equipped with passenger-side air bags?

A: Yes. However, all passengers should be properly restrained, regardless of size. All front seat passengers (adults and children) should move the seat as far rearward as possible, and may tilt the seat back slightly to help maximize the distance between the driver's chest and the steering wheel. In order to allow the air bag to deploy safely, front seat passengers should avoid leaning or reaching forward and should remain seated against the vehicle seat back, with as little slack in the belt as possible to minimize forward movement in a clash.

Q: Is it safe for elderly people to be seated in front of an air bag?

A: Elderly people like all other drivers and front seat passengers should be properly restrained and should move the seat as far rearward as possible, being careful to remain seated against the vehicle seat back and keeping the arms away from the area in which the air bag will deploy.

Q: I am pregnant. Is it safe for me to be seated in front of an air bag?

A: NHTSA is currently reviewing the effect of air bags on pregnant women. At this stage it is recommended that pregnant women wear their seat belts. The shoulder portion should be positioned over the collarbone. The lap portion should be placed under the abdomen as low as possible on the hips and across the upper thighs, never above the abdomen. Also, they should sit as far as possible from the air bag.

Adapted from News, U.S Department of Transportation, March 1997