Seats & Safety System
3-38
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To help provide protection, the air
bags must inflate rapidly. The speed
of air bag inflation is a consequence
of extremely short time in which
to inflate the air bag between the
occupant and the vehicle structures
before the occupant impacts those
structures. This speed of inflation
reduces the risk of serious or life-
threatening injuries and is thus a
necessary part of air bag design.
However, the rapid air bag inflation
can also cause injuries which can
include facial abrasions, bruises and
broken bones because the inflation
speed also causes the air bags to
expand with a great deal of force.
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There are even circumstances under
which contact with the air bag can
cause fatal injuries, especially if the
occupant is positioned excessively
close to the air bag.
You can take steps to help reduce the
risk of being injured by an inflating air
bag. The greatest risk is sitting too close
to the air bag. An air bag needs about 10
inches (25 cm) of space to inflate. NHTSA
recommends that drivers allow at least
10 inches (25 cm) between the center of
the steering wheel and the chest.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of serious injury or
death from an inflating air bag, take the
following precautions:
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NEVER place a child restraint in the
front passenger seat.
Always properly restrain children
under age 13 in the rear seats of the
vehicle.
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Adjust the front passenger’s and
driver’s seats as far to the rear as
possible while maintaining you to
maintain full control of the vehicle.
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Hold the steering wheel with
hands at the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock
positions.
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NEVER place anything or anyone
between the air bag and the seat
occupant.
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Do not allow the front passenger
to place their feet or legs on the
dashboard.
