Do airbags still kill children?

Question

Over the years there has been several deaths to small children up to 12 years of age from exploding airbags. Has this problem been solved, just ignored, or what?

Answer 1

An airbag can potentially kill anyone if they are not properly restrained in the vehicle and sitting upright. Improvements in the technology provide for different force levels based on occupant weight and the violence of the accident.

That said, airbags are primarily intended to protect adult passengers in the front seat. Children under 12 years of age should not sit in the front seat; they should be in the back seat and restrained with appropriate restraint devices depending upon their age and size.

Most of the cases of child fatalities caused by airbags involved rear-facing infant seats or children sitting or standing unrestrained in the front seat of the vehicle. These situations are in direct conflict with the manufacturers' use and safety guidelines and the laws in most jurisdictions.

The instances of properly restrained children being killed by an airbag are exceedingly rare; airbags don't kill children if used properly and never have WHEN USED PROPERLY according to the manufacturers' instructions.

Answer 2

Children under the age of 12 should not sit in the front seat of a vehicle equipped with airbags. That's the law.

Some manufacturers have sensors to detect the weight of the occupant in the passenger seat. By determining the weight (which is more important than age), the system can either deploy the airbag at a reduced rate OR not deploy it at all. This system is not mandatory so if this is a feature you would like, you'll need to shop around.

Answer 3

Yes, the airbags can injury or kill the children who are under 12 years old. Like the baby, or pre-teen. If the children over 12 years old, they may seat on FRONT SEAT.

The automakers wanted to solve the problems that they wanted safety for children under 12 years old must seat in BACK SEAT.

Answer 4

Some new cars are equipped with airbags that can be TURNED OFF when a shorter child OVER 12 (or even short adults, like my mother) is in the passenger seat, to avoid placing them in jeopardy. However, the rear seat is still recommended for younger children up to 12 (talk to dealer and read manufacturer's book for ratings) to avoid placing them at risk.

Answer 5

It's still a worry. The guidelines are that children, I believe under 80 pounds, should sit in the back seat of the car because of the air bag scare.

I just read that the Highway Safety Administration (something like that) says you should keep your child in the back seat until they are 12.

Answer 6

It is still happening, the mere impact of the airbag against a child's chest can cause irreparable damage. Some people have chosen to disable air bags because of this.

Answer 7

They do in the US because of the ultra fast deployment of around 15 millisecs because the system assumes you're not wearing your seat belt. This is extremely violent and may save your life but will tend to cause injury. Most other countries assume that the seat belt is being worn and deployment is around 35 millisecs along with seat belt tensioners and this is far less violent. Jules, auto tech and lecturer. Australia.

Answer 8

Air bags are not designed to protect children, and children should not be in the front seat until they have reached an adult weight and height. They are designed to protect adults. Yes they will still kill a child. It's your responsibility to be the adult.

Answer 9

No, if the airbag goes off and your kid is in the front seat and isn't tall enough, it will kill or seriouly injure a child

Answer 10

Yes they do. Even can kill an adult. No guarantee on any human made. Who will anyway?
When a nidle can kill someone, it's easier for the airbags with their blow force.