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AirbagWallonia

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Traffic rules
Wallonia

173. 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 in a Belgian vehicle?

An airbag is part of the vehicle's supplemental restraint system and is designed to provide additional occupant protection during certain collisions.

Does an airbag replace the seat belt in Belgium?

No. Drivers and passengers must still wear the required seat belts. Airbags are designed to supplement the protection provided by the seat belt.

Can a rear-facing child seat be placed in front of an active airbag in Belgium?

No. A child under 18 may not be transported in a rear-facing child-restraint system on a passenger seat protected by an active frontal airbag.

When may a rear-facing child seat be used on the front passenger seat?

It may be used only when the front passenger airbag is deactivated or when the vehicle automatically deactivates it adequately for the rear-facing child restraint.

Should the passenger airbag be switched back on after removing the child seat?

Yes, where appropriate. If the airbag was manually deactivated for a rear-facing child restraint, follow the manufacturer's instructions and reactivate it before carrying a passenger for whom the airbag is intended to provide protection.

What does an airbag warning light mean?

An illuminated airbag or SRS warning light normally indicates that the vehicle has detected a fault in the supplemental restraint system. The fault should be diagnosed and repaired.

Are airbags checked during Belgian technical inspections?

Yes, where applicable. European technical-inspection rules include checks for missing, unsuitable or clearly non-functioning airbags and faults indicated by the SRS system. The precise inspection procedure is administered by the Belgian regions.

What happens if an airbag is defective during a Flemish technical inspection?

In Flanders, an airbag that does not work or an airbag or SRS warning indicating a defect can result in a red inspection certificate requiring a reinspection within 15 days.

Can you permanently remove an airbag from a Belgian road car?

A vehicle must continue to comply with its applicable technical approval and inspection requirements. Required safety equipment should therefore not be removed or altered in a way that makes the vehicle non-compliant.

Can a deployed airbag simply be folded back into place?

No. A deployed airbag is a single-use safety component. The affected restraint system must be properly repaired and the necessary components replaced before the vehicle is considered correctly restored.

Should objects be placed over an airbag cover?

No. Do not attach or place objects where they could interfere with an airbag's deployment. Follow the vehicle manufacturer's instructions concerning dashboard, steering-wheel, seat and curtain-airbag areas.

Do side and curtain airbags replace other restraint systems?

No. Side and curtain airbags provide additional protection but do not replace the seat belt or an appropriate child-restraint system.

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