Airbags and Collisions Essay

By: Diana Phillips

All collisions are dictated by the laws of motion. Cars, like all moving objects, posses
momentum, the product of mass and velocity. Therefore, elements of the car itself, passengers
and objects within a car are moving at the same velocity. Applying Newtons first law of motion,
which states an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced force, we
can understand that a car will maintain a constant speed and direction until affected by an outside
force. In the event of a car crash, the cars momentum begins to instantly decelerate within split
seconds, while the passengers does not, posing a possibly fatal risk. The airbag is placed
between the steering wheel/dashboard and the passenger, to cushion their impact in this
significantly short amount of time (Brain). An airbag contains an accelerometer that detects the
change of speed instantly, triggering an airbag circuit that creates a current through heat. A
chemical explosive is then set off, as a result of the heat, and produces gas which expands the
airbag instantly. This bag then inflates in front of the passenger, cushioning the impact and thus
deflating the bag (Woodford). Therefore, airbags are a supplemental restraint system designed to
limit the damage passengers experience in an event of a collision. Before the use of airbags, seat
belts were the only form of protection offered in the event of a crash, and only restrains the body.
This does not restrain the passengers head, which weighs about 6-12lb on average and thus will
push it forward posing additional injuries, such as whiplash (Woodford).

Airbags approximately have a 10% higher safety rate in comparison to seat belts in the
event of a car crash (Enfield). Airbags add a layer of protection for the passenger during a car
crash. In addition to stopping fatal injuries, frontal airbags reduce the risk of knee, head and chest
injuries that can otherwise be imposed during collisions against the cars unpadded interior (Brain).
Incorrect airbag deployment are rare instances in comparison to the success rate of the system. A
more social economic benefit for users includes the low insurance rates offered for cars with SRS
systems installed (JMW Solicitors).

Despite this, according to the NHTSA, 238 deaths have occurred by airbags between 1990
and 2002. 2 of the main limitations of airbags that can cause death are incorrect deployment and
effect on petite adults and children. Airbags are designed for the average adults body and thus
still pose risk to children and petite adults. As a result of the explosive force of an airbag, they can
be crushed (Enfield). Skull fractures, blunt force trauma and injuries to the brain are common as
the airbag is deployed over the passengers face, rather than body (University of Georgia). Airbags
can also random deploy if their accelerometers have corroded wires or ultra sensitive sensors (.
This causes immediate shock, thus increasing the likelihood of a car crash. Additional injuries,
even though infrequent, can be minor burns from heat generator of the module and hearing loss
induced by deployment.

In conclusion, airbags are effective systems and should be used alongside the seatbelt for
maximum protection in the event of a car crash. The system possesses both social and
environmental negative/positive implications. To put it simply, speaking on an annual basis, the
positives outweigh the negatives as it saves more lives than it harms. In the US, it is now
compulsory for all vehicles to have SRS systems and will be compulsory from 2017 onwards for Sri
Lanka and India (Times of India). This should be stretched and considered on a global level as
SRS systems have the potential to save lives and reduce road-injury statistics.

Works Cited
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<http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/safety-regulatory-devices/airbag.htm>.

Cars Direct. "Advantages and Disadvantages of Passenger Car Airbags." CarsDirect. INTERNET

BRANDS COMPANY, 31 Oct. 2013. Web. 06 Oct. 2015. <http://www.carsdirect.com/car-

safety/disadvantages-of-having-passenger-car-airbags>.

Dash, Dipak K. "Crash Test for All New Cars Mandatory from October 2017." Times of India.

Bennett, Coleman & Co, 9 May 2015. Web. 6 Oct. 2015.

<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Crash-test-for-all-new-cars-

mandatory-from-October-2017/articleshow/47209480.cms>.

Enfield, Michael. "The Advantages and Disadvantages of Airbags." Go Articles. Go Articles, 2015.

Web. 6 Oct. 2015. <http://goarticles.com/article/The-Advantages-and-Disadvantages-of-

Airbags/3591419/>.

JMW Solicitors. "Car Accident Injury Prevention - The Benefits of Air Bags." The Claim Solicitors.

JMW Solicitors, 2004. Web. 6 Oct. 2015. <http://www.the-claim-solicitors.co.uk/car-

accident/car-accident-airbags.htm>.

University of Georgia. "Airbags Associated with Increased Probability of Death in Accidents, Study

Finds." Phys Org. Science X Network, 2 June 2005. Web. 6 Oct. 2015.

<http://phys.org/news/2005-06-airbags-probability-death-accidents.html>.

Woodford, Chris. "Airbags." How Do Airbags Work? Who Invented Airbags? ExplainThatStuff!,

23 Sept. 2015. Web. 06 Oct. 2015. <http://www.explainthatstuff.com/airbags.html>.