Air bags save lives
Studies by
several car manufacturers have come to the same conclusion-air bags
save lives. Since 1999, the federal government has required automakers
to install driver and passenger air bags for frontal impact protection
in all cars, light trucks and vans.
How do they work?
Air
bags provide supplemental protection and are not designed to deploy in
all crashes. Frontal air bags are generally designed to deploy in
"moderate to severe" frontal or near-frontal crashes. This is the
equivalent of hitting a fixed object at 8 to 14 mph or higher or
striking a parked car at 16 to 24 mph or higher.
A winning combination
Air
bags do not eliminate the need for seat belts. They complement each
other. Estimates indicate that the combination of an air bag plus
lap/shoulder belt reduces the risk of serious head injury by 85 percent
compared with 60 percent reductions for belts alone. Seat belts give
you protection in side-impact and rear-end collisions and also keep you
from being ejected from the car.
Air bags lower your insurance costs
You receive premium discounts on vehicles equipped with frontal air bags. Contact your agent for details.
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