AirbagPeru

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.


103. Airbag

An airbag is a vehicle safety device that rapidly inflates during certain collisions to help reduce the risk of an occupant striking the steering wheel, dashboard, doors or other parts of the vehicle interior. Vehicles may have frontal, side, curtain or other types of airbags.

Airbags form part of a supplemental restraint system (SRS) and are designed to work together with seat belts rather than replace them. Occupants should sit correctly, wear their seat belts and follow the vehicle manufacturer's instructions concerning airbags and child-restraint systems.

Car crash test at 40 km/h with different safety measures: safety belt and airbag (front), safety belt only (back, right) and no safety measures (back, left).
Wikimedia.org • Transport For NSW • CC BY-SA
What is an airbag?

An airbag is an inflatable vehicle safety device designed to help protect occupants during certain types of collision.

How does an airbag work?

Sensors detect collision conditions and, when the system determines that deployment is required, the airbag inflates extremely quickly to provide additional protection between the occupant and parts of the vehicle interior.

Does an airbag replace a seat belt?

No. Airbags are supplemental restraints and are designed to work together with seat belts. Occupants should always wear their seat belts where required.

What types of airbags can a car have?

Vehicles may have front airbags, side airbags, curtain airbags, knee airbags and other specialised airbags. The number and location depend on the vehicle design.

Does an airbag deploy in every collision?

No. Airbag systems are designed to deploy only when sensors detect collision conditions for which deployment is intended. Different airbags may deploy in different types of crashes.

Can an airbag be dangerous to a rear-facing child seat?

Yes. A rear-facing child restraint must not be placed in front of an active frontal passenger airbag because deployment can cause severe injury. The airbag must be deactivated where the vehicle and local rules permit such installation.

Can you switch off a passenger airbag?

Some vehicles allow the front passenger airbag to be deactivated, particularly when a rear-facing child restraint must be installed there. Follow the vehicle manufacturer's instructions carefully.

What does the airbag warning light mean?

An illuminated airbag or SRS warning light can indicate a fault in the restraint system. The system should be checked and repaired according to the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.

Can an airbag be reused after it deploys?

No. A deployed airbag is normally a single-use component and must be replaced together with any other affected restraint-system components before the system can function correctly again.

Should you sit close to an airbag?

Occupants should use a normal, correctly adjusted seating position and avoid placing themselves unnecessarily close to the airbag cover. Follow the seating and steering-wheel adjustment guidance provided by the vehicle manufacturer.

1 Peru 2 Bike path 3 Toll road 4 Driving licence 5 Reversing 6 Licence plate 7 Bus 8 Police 9 Ambulance 10 Pothole 11 Path 12 Particulates 13 Air pollution 14 Rush hour 15 Road code 16 Street gutter 17 Cargo bike 18 Forestry vehicle 19 Construction vehicle 20 Semi-trailer truck 21 Trolleybus 22 Speed pedelec 23 Delivery vehicle 24 Idling 25 Tow truck 26 Four-wheel drive 27 Bicycle 28 Motorcycle equipment 29 Rail track 30 Caravan 31 Trailer 32 Tow hitch 33 Fire truck 34 Siren 35 Convoy 36 Emergency vehicle lighting 37 Agricultural machinery 38 Electric bicycle 39 Electric vehicle 40 Pedelec 41 Quadricycle 42 Microcar 43 All-terrain vehicle 44 Van 45 Recreational vehicle 46 Scooter 47 Trikke 48 Personal mobility device 49 Skateboard 50 Segway 51 Kick scooter 52 Roller skates 53 Mailman 54 Hitchhiker 55 Toddler 56 Child 57 Disability 58 Motorail 59 km/h 60 mph 61 Speedometer 62 Ride height 63 Dirt road 64 Driving 65 Start-stop system 66 Manual transmission 67 Automatic transmission 68 Throttle 69 Tachometer 70 Steering wheel 71 Power steering 72 Visual scanning 73 Mirror 74 Fuel 75 Fuel gauge 76 Petrol 77 Diesel 78 Diesel exhaust fluid 79 Car insurance 80 First aid kit 81 Fire extinguisher 82 High-visibility clothing 83 First aid 84 Concrete step barrier 85 Barriers 86 Vehicle lights 87 Street lights 88 Dipped beam 89 High beam 90 Fog lights 91 Front fog lights 92 Rear fog lights 93 Side lights 94 Turn signals 95 Hazard lights 96 Dashboard lights 97 Bicycle lighting 98 Bicycle bell 99 Headlight flashing 100 Seat belt ... 101 Child restraints 102 Head restraints 103 Airbag 104 ABS 105 Esp 106 Traction control system 107 Helmet 108 Bicycle helmet 109 Hands-free 110 Smartphone 111 GPS 112 Brake 113 Handbrake 114 Brake fluid 115 Tyres 116 Tyre code 117 Winter tyres 118 Tyre pressure 119 Snow chains 120 Bicycle tyre 121 Continuous track 122 Gross Vehicle Weight 123 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 124 Cargo 125 Car body 126 Trunk 127 Roof rack 128 Windscreen 129 Emergency hammer 130 Car battery 131 Traction battery 132 Suspension 133 Shock absorber 134 Spring 135 Exhaust 136 Exhaust gas 137 Soot 138 Catalytic converter 139 Engine 140 Petrol engine 141 Diesel engine 142 Electric motor 143 Timing belt 144 Glow plug 145 Cylinder 146 Engine oil 147 Coolant 148 Maintenance 149 Spare tyre 150 Flat tyre 151 Jack 152 Vehicle inspection 153 Key 154 Dashboard 155 Windscreen wiper 156 Doors 157 Glovebox 158 Visibility 159 Rain 160 Fog 161 Hail 162 Sunlight 163 Sunglasses 164 Salt 165 Air conditioning 166 Hydroplaning 167 Distraction 168 Emotions 169 Road rage 170 Health 171 Epilepsy 172 Night blindness 173 Visual impairment 174 Fatigue 175 Defects 176 Traffic violation 177 Alcohol 178 Alcohol control 179 Ignition interlock device 180 Breath test 181 Breath analysis 182 Blood alcohol content 183 Blood test 184 Saliva test 185 Drugs 186 Medication 187 Penalties 188 Speeding 189 Smoking 190 Traffic enforcement camera 191 Accident 192 Injuries 193 Nosebleed 194 Damage 195 Breakdown 196 Warning triangle 197 Traffic rules 198 Driving school 199 Traffic signs