Side Impact Air-Bags

Automobile safety has come along way, with many new life saving gadgets coming along. First lap belts, then shoulder belts, then harness type belts for the rear seats followed by drivers side air bags, then air bags on both sides and now side impact air bags. It makes sense, If your car is broadsided or hit directly on the side, a regular air bag will not be much help.

As with everything, there are pros and cons. First of all, and most important, side impact air bags are meant to protect adults not children. Since they are very rarely installed in a rear seat, it brings up the importance of never letting children under 12 ride in the front of the car. Even a regular dashboard mounted air bag can suffocate a small child and with one on the side as well, you can just imagine what could happen. So have the children ride in the back, make it a rule and stick to it.

There are three types of side impact air bags. Torso aid impact air bags are mounted on the door or the side of the seat it is designed to protect an adult in a side impact crash. Head side impact air bags are mounted on the door rail and are designed to protect adults heads in the event of a side impact. The combo is designed to protect the head and torso of an adult in a side impact crash.

AS of now the National Transportation and Safety Board does not regulate side impact air bags because they are not a required item Ima surer the day will come when they are required and then the government will set standards. Until that time we have to rely on the independent organizations to do the testing and reporting. Right now they are doing a great job of testing, but it would be nice to have some guidelines to go by,