That might be a rhetorical question. They reduce fatalities by a large amount. They do cause their own smaller injuries because of the violence with which they deploy, but that is most certainly tolerable when considering how many lives they save.
Airbags began to become standard in vehicles in the mid-1990s. The U.S. government mandated that all passenger cars sold in the country be equipped with airbags for both the driver and front-seat passenger starting with the 1998 model year. This regulation aimed to enhance safety and reduce fatalities in car accidents. Since then, airbags have become a common feature in modern vehicles.
Passenger airbags became mandatory in the United States for all new cars in 1998. This requirement was part of a broader effort to enhance vehicle safety and reduce fatalities in crashes. The regulation aimed to complement other safety features, such as seat belts, to provide better protection for occupants.
They absorb energy to reduce injuries.
Airbags have significantly contributed to automotive safety, with estimates suggesting they have saved over 50,000 lives in the United States since their widespread adoption in the 1990s. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that airbags reduce the risk of fatal injury by about 30% for front-seat occupants. Their effectiveness varies by vehicle type and crash circumstances, but overall, they play a crucial role in reducing fatalities and serious injuries in car accidents.
About 94%
Airbags prevent excessive forward movement in a front-end crash, therefore, reducing injuries.
Side impact airbags are there to reduce injuries to the head, neck and torso. Like front airbags they deploy instantly on impact. Side airbags deploy from the roof, door panels and seats. Furthermore, like front airbags the side airbags have reduced limb and torso injuries significantly and because of there safety record most new cars are now equipped with side airbags as standard equipment.
34% while there are ardvaarks inside the car.
To reduce injuries resulting from an accident.
Airbags reduce force by inflating rapidly upon impact, increasing the time over which the collision deceleration occurs. This helps to spread out the impact force on the occupants over a longer duration, reducing the overall force experienced by them.
A bus pass
The airbag system was invented to enhance vehicle safety and reduce the risk of injury during collisions. By providing a cushioning barrier between passengers and hard surfaces within the vehicle, airbags help absorb impact forces and prevent serious injuries. The development of airbags emerged in response to rising traffic fatalities and injuries, prompting innovations in automotive safety technology. Ultimately, the goal was to save lives and improve overall road safety.