My boyfriend has recently got a faster newer car, the problem is he drives far too fast and never wears his seatbelt. When i beg him to slow down and tell him if he crashes without his seatbelt on he'll probably die his response is he has airbags that will protect him, he was driving at about 90 - 100mph last week and since then i refuse to get in the car with him. My question being is he right even if he is driving at very fast speeds without a seatbelt will the airbags protect him if he crashes?
2007-09-20 06:20:44 · 19 answers · asked by Laurie 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
Dont be afraid to tell me what will really happen if he crashes at such stupid speeds without a seat belt im going to show him this to try and scare him and make him see sense, thanks
2007-09-20 06:32:11 · update #1
No, actually, driving that fast without seatbelts is even more dangerous with airbags, because the airbags are designed to work with the seatbelts and are not safe without seatbelts.
When you crash without a seatbelt, your body keeps going forward until it hits the steering wheel. As a result, it is too close to the airbag when the airbag inflates. You need to wear the entire seatbelt, including the shoulder harness, to keep you far enough back in the seat to be the proper distance from the airbag for it to protect you.
By the way, do not let him get you pregnant, because he will not live long enough to pay child support.
2007-09-20 08:12:55 · answer #1 · answered by StephenWeinstein 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Airbags decrease the risk of death in a head on collision by 30% but only when used with a seat belt.
This time last year I was working as a physio in unit for people with brain damage. Almost all of the patients that had brain damage from car accidents hadn't been wearing seat belts and some of them were very severely permanently disabled, eg. unable to walk, talk, doubly incontinent and fed via a tube. Maybe he'd prefer that to death? I'm not sure I would.
Airbags have been compulsory in cars since 1998, and all of my patients cars will have Had them.
If your bf thinks he doesn't need to wear his belt then hes acting very irresponsibly.
Another point is that lots of girls every year are killed by their bfs dangerous and stupid driving, so my advice to you is to not even get into his car unless he sorts himself out.
www.brake.org.uk has loads of info about speeding, seatbelts and road accidents in general and has lots of true stories on there, but he doesn't sound like the type to listen really. I hope for both your sakes he does.
Take care
Maxie x
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2007-09-20 06:41:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Ok, you want the truth? My brother is dead because he wasn't wearing his seatbelt. His car had both seatbelts and airbags. He fell asleep on the freeway doing 70+. The airbags went off. He was thrown from the car because he wasn't wearing his seatbelt. His injuries were due to the imact of hitting the road. Had he been wearing his seatbelt, he would be here today. Seatbelts and airbags are designed to work together.
2007-09-20 06:43:42 · answer #3 · answered by sh752 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, as the force could be so great he could just be thrown over the bags and straight out of the front window. A common problem with this is people gettind decapitated by the glass as they go through the windscreen. If he's wearing his seat belt he won't be thrown out the window, and the airbag is there mainly to stop him hitting his head on the steering wheel / side of the car when hit. So get him to wear it!
2007-09-20 06:30:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Airbags are only to stop your head from hitting the steering wheel (or anything else). There's no way they will stop the weight of your whole body.
You're right to refuse to get in the car with him - when he's driving you around he's responsible for YOUR safety, as well as his own.
Just thought of something else - ever seen a racing driver not wearing a belt? They know what they're doing.
2007-09-20 12:52:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
OMG .... sorry Zoe but i agree 200% with everyone else. Your b/f is a total wan**r and the emergency services would be better attending someone else who has had an accident, rather than wasting thier time on him. And lets not forget that probably other people will be involved in this accident, what about thier lives etc. You should take him to visit other people who have suffered because of idiots like him. Sorry, buit he has really annoyed me. My advise, stay out of his car, and tell him if he doesnt stop being a f*****g stupid waste of space, you will ditch him and find a guy with brains. Good luck.
2007-09-20 09:14:57 · answer #6 · answered by reptilebloke 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If he was to have an accident at that speed without wearing a seatbelt, he would most likely be decapitated by the air bag as he hits it while it is still opening.
2007-09-20 07:06:48 · answer #7 · answered by lilmissdisorganised 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Airbags are designed to work WITH seatbelts, not independent of them. They are called the SRS, or supplimental restraint system. Your boyfriend is being quite foolish by driving fast and not wearing his seatbelt. He risks injuring not only himself but others due to his immature attitude. You are wise to refuse a ride with him.
2007-09-20 06:30:16 · answer #8 · answered by Otto 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My dad used to run the police yard where wrecked cars are taken in to, after crashes, so that they can be checked for mechanical failure etc.
Tell your BF he will end up being swept up if he tries driving at those speeds, air bag or no airbag.
He used to have to hose the blood and bits out of the cars and spray them with disinfectant to stop the flies!
One car had 1/3 of someone still in it they were to mangled to be removed completely by the ambulance and fire service.
You do right to stop out of the car, he has little respect for your saftey or anyone else driving like this. Stick to your guns! :0)
2007-09-20 06:47:42 · answer #9 · answered by H1976 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Airbags are great for head-on collisions. What about side impact or roll-over. The bags instantly deflate and afford no further protection. They never provide protection from being ejected from the vehicle.
2007-09-20 09:05:51 · answer #10 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋