How air bags work | Correct seat adjustment | Air bags & children | Air bag injuries | Deactivating air bags | Used cars with air bags
Air bags sometimes cause injuries because they inflate so rapidly and with such force. Most of these injuries are minor abrasions and bruises, but some can be serious or even fatal.
Anyone too close to the air bag when it deploys is at high risk of injury. The air bag must have room to deploy or inflate in order to provide the best protection.
People who sit too close to the air bag, such as shorter drivers, may be at risk of serious injury. Children are also extremely vulnerable because they are small. Bigger children are also at risk because they tend to move out of position (e.g., to change the radio station).
Minimizing your risk of injury is simply a matter of giving the air bag plenty or room to inflate.
Some changes are being made to air bags to reduce the risk of injury to drivers and passengers.
For more information on air bags, check out Transport Canada's Web site.
Or phone Transport Canada at 1-800-333-0371.
