Airbags are effective safety devices that have certainly saved more lives over the years than they’ve taken, but for a cushion of air, they are not exactly harmless. Many refinements have been made since the airbag’s invention, such as lower velocity deployment and more precise sensors that make it less likely to erroneously inflate when they are not absolutely necessary. They also have vent holes to allow slow deflation on impact, so it’s not like getting whacked in the face by a rock. Still, they pose a danger to small children (under 12), babies in rear facing car seats, and people seated to close to the dashboard or steering wheel, because of the speed at which they come out. Modern trucks with airbags, as well as some cars, are commonly equipped with On/Off switches for the airbags to accommodate situations where the airbag system would clearly be dangerous. Airbags nowadays are meant to be used in conjunction with shoulder seat belts, although they were initially developed in response to American driver’s reluctance to use seat belts. Even with proper use of a seat belt, airbags can still deploy with enough force to break someone’s nose or even bones. An airbag could break one’s glasses or drive a lit cigarette or pipe into your face or down your throat, any of which would obviously be very bad. Here’ s an example of another danger: One time my father was picking me up from the mall when he got into a relatively low speed collision with an elderly lady, who he assumed was not going to pull out into the flow of traffic. At the last second, she did pull out, and my dad instinctively leaned back, locked his arms while holding the steering wheel, and braced for impact. Perhaps he was unsure that it would deploy. As the cars collided, the airbag deployed perfectly, raking against the insides of his arms and leaving deep scratches. As my dad regained his bearings and was getting ready to get out and see if the little old lady was OK, she tapped on his window to ask him the same thing. Now, I can’t be sure my dad had his seat belt on, but I know that some ugly scratches on his arms was a lot better than hitting the steering wheel or the windshield with his head. In short, had he not braced himself, he would have likely not even gotten a scratch. Used correctly, airbags surely do a lot more good than harm. Category:Home › Autos • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 2 • You should never use after-market auto parts when maintaining or fixing your car • Should a new car be rust-proofed? • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 1 • Five safest cars in North America • How to ensure your teen drives safely after getting a license • Pros and cons of using an hydrogen generator for your car • DIY automotive maintenance: How to change the oil