How fast airbags deploy

But the idea is to have the human hit an airbag instead. That means that not only does the airbag have to inflate in this time, but it also decreases the distance the person can travel.

Let's say the distance is cut in half—that also cuts the inflation time in half to about 0. Try blowing up a balloon in under a tenth of a second. It's pretty much impossible. Now try doing the same thing for a larger bag in even less time. You can't do that with air.

The only answer is an explosion that produces a gas to fill the airbag. It's even crazier than you think. Let's imagine what has to happen for this collision which is just at 35 mph. All of that has to happen before the human hits the bag.

OK, it's true the seatbelt also slows the human down during the collision. This will give the airbag a little more time to deploy. This is also why you should wear your seatbelt—even if your car has an airbag. Check that the switch is in the required position.

ON — The airbag is activated and all front-facing passengers children and adults can sit safely on the passenger seat. Do check your car handbook for model specific advice though as airbag size and performance does vary. If a child restraint is not available, children under 3 years must travel in the rear, but may be unrestrained.

Children 3 years and over, up to cm tall must sit in the rear and use an adult seat belt. Children aged 12 years or more, or over cm tall, may travel the front, but must wear the seat belt. Children under 3 must be in a child car seat. Children aged 3 or older can sit in the back using an adult belt. Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. Press ESC to cancel. Skip to content Home Philosophy How fast do you have to be driving for airbags to deploy?

Ben Davis April 21, How fast do you have to be driving for airbags to deploy? At what speed do airbags deploy in a side collision? Estimated lives occupants 13 and older saved by frontal air bags in Estimated lives saved by frontal air bags from to The Topic Protection. Related Topic Takata Recall Spotlight. Watch the video. The Topic Recalls. The Topic Fake Air Bags. The Topic FAQs. Why do air bags sometimes fail to deploy during a crash? Some possible examples follow: The crash conditions may be sufficiently moderate where an air bag would not be needed to protect an occupant wearing a seat belt.

The seat belt may provide sufficient protection from a head or chest injury in such a crash. Many advanced frontal air bag systems automatically turn off the passenger air bag when the vehicle detects a small-stature passenger or child, a child in a child restraint system, or no occupant in the right front passenger seat. Some advanced side air bag systems will similarly shut off the passenger side air bag system when detecting a small-stature passenger or child in the right front passenger seat who is positioned too close to the side air bag.

In used vehicles, a possible reason for the air bag not to deploy is that the air bag may not have been replaced after a previous crash. NHTSA recommends that air bags always be replaced after a deployment. Any air bag that fails to deploy in an injury-producing crash should be reported to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation for investigation of possible system defects and potential recall. What is meant by a "moderate to severe" crash?

I just bought a vehicle with advanced front air bags. Does this mean I can start putting my kids in the front seat again? What should I do when the "pass air bag off" or "passenger air bag off" indicator light does not give me the expected result?

After an advanced frontal air bag deploys, can it be re-used? Generally, airbags only deploy in moderate to severe accidents. So, if the crash is severe enough, the sensors signal the inflators to air-fill the airbags.

This airbag inflation occurs in the blink of an eye. Side airbags can deploy even faster than this. The less space between the protected passenger and the striking object makes this extra speed possible. Airbags can also deploy in rollover car accidents. Here, side curtain airbags protect you. They can deploy in about milliseconds of a rollover crash. Furthermore, they remain inflated for extended periods. Several factors determine the successful deployment of an airbag. They include:.

Therefore, airbags may not deploy in certain collisions depending on these factors. In moderate car crashes, your airbag may not deploy. For instance, the seat belt may have been sufficient protection in such moderate accidents. Advanced frontal airbags can detect when a child or small-stature passenger is in the front seat.

Consequently, the system will hold back the airbag.