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Airbag Deployment Conditions
When front airbags (if equipped)
should not deploy?
Minor frontal collision: Seat belt (if
worn), offers adequate occupant protec-
tion in low severity collisions. The air-
bags are triggered only when there is a
collision severe enough to trigger the air-
bags. Deployment of frontal airbags is
not beneficial in low severity collisions.
Side collision: During a side collision,
occupants tend to move sideways.
Therefore, deploying frontal airbags in
such situations will not benefit the occu-
pants.
Rear collision: During a rear collision,
occupants tend to move (rearwards)
away from frontal airbags. Therefore, de-
ploying frontal airbags in such situations
will not protect the occupants. Head re-
straints and seat belts provide occupant
protection during a rear collision.
Rollovers collision: During a rollover
collision, unbelted occupants may float
inside the passenger compartment. This
will increase the risk of injuries and may
prove to be fatal. Wearing seat belts pro-
vide highly effective occupant protection
during rollover collision. Front airbags,
are not designed to deploy in a rollover
as frontal airbags cannot offer any pro-
tection in rollover collision.
When front airbags deploy with mi-
nor or no visible vehicle damage?
The airbags are triggered only when
there is a collision severe enough to trig-
ger the airbags. The extent of vehicle
damage is not always the correct indica-
tor for airbag deployment. In some ex-
treme/rare conditions; of rough road
driving, running into a curb or hitting
other fixed objects; the airbags may de-
ploy depending upon the severity of col-
lision. In some of these conditions, dam-
age to the vehicle may be minor or not
be readily visible.
When front airbags not deploy,
even with exterior visible vehicle
damage?
The airbags are triggered only when
there is a collision severe enough to trig-
ger the airbags. The amount of visible ve-
hicle damage is not always the correct
indicator for airbag deployment. Some
collisions can result in visible damage
but with no airbag deployment, because
the airbags would not have been needed
or would not have provided protection
even if they had deployed. Seat belts, if
worn, offer adequate occupant protec-
tion in such cases.
SAFETY
17
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