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Created on:

13 Jul 2024

Last Updated on:

16 Dec 2024

A comprehensive guide to airbag safety.

Airbag safety: Understanding myths and best practices for optimal protection

Airbags are a very significant safety measure equipped in a car. Airbags in cars are specifically crafted to ensure the safety of the passengers involved in any sort of accident. Several variants of airbags are available, each having a different purpose depending on the nature of the accident concerned. They minimise the risk of injuries suffered by the passengers during the accident.

What are airbags in cars?

Airbags in cars are an inflated safety tool that shields the passengers and driver during any sudden jerk or collision. These are usually prepared from high-class stretchable fabric similar to nylon. Airbags in cars are a reliable passenger-restraint safety equipment.

These airbags remain fitted in the car cabins, offering protection to the driver and passengers during any accidental circumstance like a sudden rollover. Depending on the kind of airbag, they remain fitted in several areas of the car cabin, allowing safety cushioning to minimise the level of injury.

These airbags are designed so that they can easily inflate rapidly offering necessary shielding to protect against any collision or rollover, avoiding bone fractures or skull injuries.

How do airbags in cars work?

Airbags in cars function using a specific chemical procedure and a series of sensors. The crash sensors relay the information about the abrupt deceleration of the vehicle to the airbag control system. This data is analysed which triggers safety measures like seatbelt lock, smart door lock and airbag deployment. The airbag inflator starts a special chemical spark which begins the nitrogen flow, that inflates these airbags. As the gas enters the bags, the inflated bags burst through the surface and protect the driver and passenger through cushioning.

After inflation, they deflate with time naturally.

Depending on the mechanism, there are 3 forms of deployment, frontal, rear and side impacts. It takes 50-80 milliseconds for deployment.

Importance of airbags in cars

An auto accident occurs when two vehicles hit each other. This eventually results in either a head-on collision or a rollover. During such abrupt situations, the affected vehicle starts to decelerate at a rapid pace. If you get affected by any such situation and your vehicle does not have an airbag protection system, the results can be even fatal, leaving aside the issue of severe injuries.

Airbags in cars act as a protective cushioning system, that is specifically crafted to offer necessary protection to the vehicle’s occupants during such sudden collisions.

However, even if your car remains equipped with airbags, you must still exercise using seatbelts and child safety locks. Remember airbags work only under extreme circumstances.

Conclusion

Airbags in cars are a complicated mechanism and this is the primary reason that only the comparatively more expensive cars remain equipped with this advanced feature. Replacing airbags is a serious and quite expensive affair. Since accidents are unprecedented, you need to keep yourself always prepared for such mishaps, by investing in a competent car insurance plan. Just like an airbag cushions out to protect you, competent car insurance also acts like a protective shield during such challenging situations.


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Team Zurich Kotak GIC

The content of this blog has been created and carefully reviewed by the esteemed team at Zurich Kotak General Insurance, with the sole purpose of providing valuable guidance and sharing insights on the importance of general insurance. Our objective is to assist users in making informed decisions when purchasing or renewing insurance policies for their cars, bikes, and health. Our expertly curated information aims to empower our readers with the knowledge they need to protect their valuable assets and financial interests.

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