Your vehicle’s airbags are one of the most important safety features. While cars today come equipped with airbags and many are aware of their significant role, many are not completely familiar with how they work or some of the ins and outs. Here’s what you should know about vehicle airbags:
The Efficiency of Airbags
Everyone has heard that airbags help reduce fatalities, but how effective are they in preventing accident-related injuries? According to the NHTSA, as of 2013, frontal airbags saved 39,886 lives and, as of 2012, side airbags have saved 2,252 lives.
Airbags are Most Effective When Wearing a Seatbelt
Airbags are most effective when drivers and passengers are wearing seatbelts. According to the NHTSA, the combination of an airbag and a seatbelt reduces the risk of death by 51 percent, compared to wearing a seatbelt without the aid of an airbag, which decreases the risk of death by 45 percent.
Airbags are Costly to Replace
Airbags can only be deployed once and, once an airbag has gone off, it needs to be replaced before you drive again. Airbags are explosive devices, which makes transporting them difficult. They must also be stored in specific conditions. For these reasons, airbags can cost a fair amount to replace. Also, the make and model of your vehicle impacts the cost of airbags. It costs approximately $1,000 for an airbag to be replaced.
Ensure Airbags Have Never Been Deployed When Buying a Used Car
If you’re in the market to purchase a used vehicle, be cautious about the condition of the airbags. Auto diagnostic services are performed prior to selling a vehicle to ensure all safety features and important parts are in working order. Mobile airbag services are provided to detect any issues with a vehicle’s airbags. But it doesn’t hurt to verify with the salesperson that the airbags are effective.
