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Airbag is the most important life-saving safety feature in a car, but do you know that wrong driving position and some small mistakes can make the airbag a cause of injury instead of a safety shield? Not wearing a seatbelt, sitting too close to the steering wheel, leaning on the door and placing your feet on the dashboard can be dangerous. Know which 5 things should be kept in mind while sitting in a car with airbags.
Never make these 5 mistakes in a car with airbag.
Airbags are one of the most important passive safety features in modern cars. These inflate rapidly during a crash to protect the passenger from hitting the steering wheel, dashboard or side and have saved many lives. But airbags are not always completely safe. Sitting incorrectly, not wearing a seatbelt, or a malfunction in the airbag system can themselves cause injury. Recently, a case related to a popular SUV has also increased the discussion on this issue, where there was an allegation of airbag not opening.
Frontal, side and curtain airbags are common in today’s cars; they are life-saving, but if proper precautions are not taken, injuries caused by them can cause major harm to both the driver and passengers. Here are some important tips that will help in reducing the damage caused by airbags during a crash. Let us know about them one by one.
always wear seatbelt
The airbag activates only when you are wearing a seat belt. Seatbelt is active safety, while airbag is passive. Both together increase safety. When seated without a belt, the body may bounce like a boxing bag when the airbag deploys. Always fasten your belt while sitting on the front seat. This small habit prevents serious injuries caused by airbags and maximizes safety.
Set the seat at the right distance
Correct seat position is important for both the driver and front passenger. Maintain a distance of at least 10 inches between the chest and steering wheel. Slide the seat back so that the airbag can fully inflate and form a safety shield. Sitting too close may cause the airbag to hit the face or chest. Maintain proper distance from the dashboard also.
Place the 9 and 3 o’clock positions on the steering wheel.
Place your hands on the steering wheel at the nine and three o’clock positions. Avoid the old habit of ten-two because when the airbag deploys, the hand may hit the rear view mirror or A-pillar and cause injury to the wrist or arm. Keep your hands away from the center of the steering. This good habit prevents hand and wrist injuries.
don’t lean on the door
Leaning on the doors is dangerous in cars with side airbags and curtain airbags. These airbags open very fast. Being in the wrong position can cause injury instead of safety. Always sit straight on the seat and maintain distance from the sides, so that the side airbag can provide proper safety.
Do not put your feet on the dashboard and make children sit in the back
Front passenger should never step on the dashboard. If the airbag deploys, serious injury to the leg or knee may occur. Always seat small children in a suitable child seat in the rear seat. Front airbags can be dangerous for children. These small precautions increase the safety of the entire family.
About the Author
Ram Mohan Mishra is an active journalist in the automotive world of digital media and has been working continuously in the field of auto journalism since 2021. Presently he is handling the auto desk of News18 Hindi as Senior Sub-Editor.
