Airbag Switches for Police Cruisers
by
The Airbag Switch Company

Police departments are having airbag switches installed to control the airbags on the passenger sides of their cruisers. This switch solves several problems. 

In the last several years, the amount of complex and expensive equipment in police cruisers has increased dramatically, and much of it is mounted on the passenger side.

When the passenger side airbag deploys, it can push this equipment into a passenger or the driver at more than 200 mph. Even if there is no passenger on that side, the force of an airbag detonating can destroy the equipment and blow out the windshield.  

Many police departments decided not to use center post-mounted computer systems any longer because the airbag can propel the computer into the driver. They have been using center console mounted computers instead. These console mounted units (between the driver's and passenger's seats) are less desirable because the officer has to look down to see the computer screen. The post mounted computer screen makes it possible to keep an eye on the outside while looking at the screen. An airbag switch lets the officer safely use a post mounted computer.

  Laptop computer on the passenger side                                                        
                                                                     

Fleet vehicles often have unique operating conditions.  Usually there is nobody on the passenger side, so a detonating passenger side airbag can needlessly cause considerable damage. The damage includes replacing the airbag and windshield, and also the equipment located in the airbag deployment zone. 

NHTSA's requirements for airbag switches include:

1. Having a light to indicate when the airbag is turned Off; 
2. a key or similar way to prevent unauthorized switching; 
3. and a requirement that the switch does not interfere with the normal functioning of the  airbag warning light on the instrument panel.  

The universal switches made by the Airbag Switch Company have no internal fuses and will will continue to function after one detonating impulse.

A fuse permanently interrupts the bypass circuit after one detonation impulse and the switch will have to be replaced after one detonation impulse, to keep the vehicle's airbag warning light off (a NHTSA requirement). A detonation impulse can occur in a low speed impact, or in some cases, even if a car is standing still but is hit by another vehicle.

We also offer an optional remote indicator that shows the driver whether the switch has the airbag turned on or off. This allows the switch to be mounted out of sight, as in the glovebox, but still lets the driver to see if the airbag is turned on or off. 

This is safer than having a switchbox mounted on the dash or knee bolster where knees or legs can be injured in an accident. But in a polioce cruiser, there is usually room to mount the switch itself on the knee bolster in the center with the computer stand, where no passenger will ride. The remote has a light emitting diode in the center that is illuminated when the airbag is inactive. According to airbag injury expert and police surgeon Dr. Wm. Smock, the remote is a safer installation than installing the switch where the knees may impact it in an accident.   

In either case, the Airbag Switch Company provides the leading airbag on/off switch on the market today. Our switches meet all NHTSA requirements and will continue to meet those requirements even after  an airbag detonation impulse.

Airbag Company switch                                           Remote mounted on dash
in glove box

Call us at 301-473-7908 or 877-773-7908 to discuss your needs

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