Although I am old enough, I am a naturally VERY skinny person for my age. My doctor told me that the airbag from the car would crush and kill me. Now I am scared to drive and my mom won't even let me until I gain weight. How dangerous are airbags, really?
2006-06-23 07:05:43 · 24 answers · asked by Person! 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
PS. I'm short too so I couldn't sit wayyyy back even if I wanted to, like someone suggested. My feet wouldn't hit the gas/breaks.
2006-06-23 07:09:50 · update #1
They are not that dangerous, and will more often than not save your life, though they do present a danger to small children since they are so short, when impact occurs, the bag will deploy and snap their necks from the sudden impact.
That's why children below a certain height and weight shouldn't ever be in the front seat.
As for your case, that's kinda frightening. There are ways to disable the airbags, but i think in terms of probability, you aren't that likely to be using it anytime soon, and it sure as hell is a better gamble to POSSIBLY be injured by the airbag deploying, than definitely being killed by it not.
2006-06-23 07:10:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
If your face were near the steering column when the airbag went off arbitrarily, then the force of it could potentially damage your spine, injuring or even killing you.
During an accident however, when you're traveling at any sort of speed and get into a collision, the air bag will deploy and allow your head to hit it rather than the very unforgiving steering column.
People who are in more danger from airbag deployment are infants or toddlers in car seats as the airbag being deployed strikes the car seat and forces it to move very violently. Also, firefighters, while attempting to rescue trapped motorists, have occasionally been between the passenger and the airbag when it deployed spontaneously. This can be fatal for both the firefighter and the passenger.
2006-06-23 14:15:24 · answer #2 · answered by slagathor238 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure there is a way to disable the air bag. But the newer air bag systems are not as forceful as the first ones.
Send an e-mail to the manufacturer of your car. Give them your height and weight and ask them if their system maybe a problem for you.
I'm surprised you have a doctor that is so knowledgeable in the design and function of airbags. Did he ask about the year and model of your car? Did he offer a solution or just try to scare you into gaining weight?
2006-06-23 14:14:01 · answer #3 · answered by Gregory B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Airbags can be just as dangerous a car accident but they can save you also. The airbag won't just pop out at you. Do blow the horn too long and aviod an accident and you will be fine. The airbag might not even work. In most cars. I believe you can turn off the air bag.
2006-06-23 14:10:09 · answer #4 · answered by Simmy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do some research about your car...there might be a way to turn the airbags off. There is still a risk of a car accident that could kill you too. Listen to your mom and doctor though. They sound like they have your best interest in mind!
2006-06-23 14:10:10 · answer #5 · answered by Julia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Air bags can be dangerous. The best thing to do is buckle up and be at least 10 inches from the center of the steering wheel when driving. A air bag is designed to catch you not hit you, so a seat belt will slow your body down in a accident, w/out a belt you will go flying into the air bag. With proper position and buckled belt their is a good chance in many cases you won't even touch the air bag.
2006-06-23 14:12:28 · answer #6 · answered by Josh M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as opposed to hitting the dash at 75 miles per hour i'd say airbags aren't dangerous at all....the low speed deployment is more dangerous to you but very rare and remember, due to "g" forces in a crash your body will still be 4 or 5 hundred pounds when you multiply your weight times say 9 "g"s from the impact.
2006-06-23 14:13:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My sister in law had a device added to her pedals that extended them so she could sit further away from the dash. Check into that. Use of the airbag is well a mixed bag. I know people who were injured by theirs, but you also have to have seen what they "avoided" by it going off. Usually, the consequences of it far out weigh not using one alltogether. We keep all children in our family who are not the driver in the back anyway.
2006-06-23 14:27:41 · answer #8 · answered by educated guess 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
MY suggestion is for you to sit at a reasonable distance from the air bag. People who are hurt by it were always sitting too close to the wheel in the first place. The air bag will not deploy unless you crash with a great amount of force. I believe that your worry could be exaggerated.
Overall, drive safely. NEVER FOLLOW ANYONE TOO CLOSELY!!! And listen to your doctor.
Mr. M on air bags
2006-06-23 14:13:13 · answer #9 · answered by Humberto M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just don't drive like a maniac and watch out for the other drivers. The more you drive the more comfortable you will feel about driving. I was scared about the same thing when I first got my permit. You'll always be scared but the best thing to do is to just drive so that you feel more comfortable driving. Good Luck!!!
2006-06-23 14:09:44 · answer #10 · answered by ilovemycfnissan@yahoo.com 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋