Why an airbag switch?  The US government requires airbags in all passenger vehicles sold in the US today. But since the late 1980s, when manufacturers began putting airbags in new cars, there have been hundreds of deaths and thousands of disabling injuries from airbags. 

"Imagine you are driving along at 200 mph with your arm out the window. Suddenly your arm hits a metal sign covered in plastic. What do you think will happen to your hand and arm?"
                                                 Dr. Wm Smock, MS, FACEP, FAAEM
                                                  Director, Clinical Forensic Medicine Program
                                                              Department of Emergency Medicine
                                                              University of Louisville, Louisville, KY         

By the mid-1990s, NHTSA recognized the danger to shorter women, children and the elderly, so in 1998 Congress passed a law that allowed people in these particularly endangered groups to have airbag switches installed.  Airbag Switches would let them protect themselves by turning off their airbags. With increasing publicity about airbag-caused injuries and fatalities, the government recently passed another law demanding that car manufacturers develop "safe" airbags by 2002 and install them in all new vehicles by 2006. This date has now been extended to 2012 for part of the requirements.

NHTSA also allows Police fleets to install airbag switches to control the airbags on the passenger side of their police cruisers. This is because the airbag, which detonates with about 1200 lbs of force, and comes out at more than 200 mph, will propel any equipment mounted on the passenger airbag zone into the passenger.  Even when there is no passenger, as is often the case with police cruisers, a detonating airbag will destroy expensive equipment and the airbag will have to be replaced.  Where there is a center post-mounted computer console, the console and computer can be pushed into the driver at high speed.

But what about all the vehicles on the road now and before 2002? Some auto manufacturers are now offering airbag switches in their newest models.  But usually only for the passenger side airbag, if at all.

Call us for more information or click here for an information request form. 

Telephone

301-473-7900 or 877-773-7908

FAX

301-473-4829

 

Address:

The Airbag Switch Company

7301 Brookside Drive, Frederick MD 21702

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