Aside from its performance on the road, your car’s design also incorporates aspects that offer safety as you drive. Supplemental restraint systems (SRS), which include seat belts and airbags, are necessary devices in these vehicles, as they save numerous drivers and passengers from serious or even fatal injuries when collisions occur.
Airbags are particularly interesting because of the way they function. When a car decelerates rapidly during impact, sensors detect the change of speed and trigger the circuit. Then, the circuit will send electrical signals to a heating element that ignites an explosive. The gases from this reaction will then inflate a nylon bag behind the steering wheel or dashboard. All of these events happen within a fraction of a second.
Airbags absorb the impact that drivers and passengers would have sustained during the collision. They serve as cushions that prevent people from hitting the car’s interior surfaces or being flung out of the vehicle. Although they are indeed life-saving devices, their success highly depends on the precautions that people take. With this in mind, here are some ways to maximize their effectiveness:
1 – Always Wear Seat Belts
Wearing seat belts is always non-negotiable, as these devices complement the job of airbags. Buckling up will help restrain you and keep you from being thrown inside and outside of the vehicle.
You’re not just complying with the law when you do so, but you’re also saving your life in the process. If you don’t buckle up, you’ll still suffer severe impacts even with airbags, and you’ll increase your risks of sustaining life-threatening injuries.
2 – Maintain Some Distance From the Steering Wheel
It’s advisable to keep some distance (at least ten inches) between you and the steering wheel to reduce the potential impact you’ll face during a collision. You may opt to push your seat back as far as possible. However, make sure that your feet can still reach the pedals comfortably and your arms reach the steering wheel without stretching.
It’s also best to keep the seat slightly reclined and not completely upright. If doing this makes it challenging to see the road, you may put a non-slip cushion on the seat to adjust your height and help with visibility.
3 – Keep the Kids at the Back Seat
As much as possible, children younger than 12 years of age should sit on the rear seats for their safety, with booster seats as the law requires. Airbags are designed to keep adults safe, and their sudden inflation can pose serious risks to kids.
4 – Get an Airbag Reset after a Crash
Modern airbags are designed for one-time use to ensure their proper functioning. Because of this, it’s always good practice to get an airbag module reset after a collision. Even if your system did not activate after the accident, it’s still necessary to let professionals check the module.
Contact Airbag Module Repair Services
Ensuring your safety is paramount when you’re on the road, and your car has systems in place to keep you protected, such as your seat belts and airbags. Although they are undeniably life-saving devices, their effectiveness will depend on the precautions you take. With this guide in mind, we hope you take the steps necessary to protect yourself from the dangers of the road.
If you’re looking for airbag module reset services in the US, Safety Restore can help. We offer high-quality and efficient post-accident restoration solutions for your vehicle. Maximize your protection—contact us today!
