Airbags detonate with more than 1200 lbs of force at speeds that can exceed 200 mph. This data has been obtained from extensive testing with sophisticated load cell technology. We hear about the results of the deployment of airbags from hospital emergency rooms, from individuals who have been injured, from private companies who work in the automobile safety industry, from automobile manufacturers, and even from the government. Even with such a large group, all saying that airbags are dangerous, the public does not have available to it accurate statistics on deaths and injuries due to airbags. The number of airbag induced deaths reported by the National Highway Traffice Safety Administration is far lower than the actual number. The deaths reported are only those from accidents investigated by NHTSA's Special Crash Investigation Division, and as of 1988 the SCI Division of NHTSA only investigated accidents that included the latest airbag technology. Their justification for this misleading information is that their primary purpose is to help auto manufacturers develop safer airbags. What, you thought the purpose of reporting a death statistic was to inform the public?

Why are airbags so dangerous? Airbag systems were developed for the 5 ft 8 inch 180 lb. male, and only tested to be sure they met their needs. Unfortunately, this did not help shorter people, who have to sit closer to the steering wheel than 10 or 12 inches. Nor did the requirements consider children, or those who have medical reasons why they are in danger from the force of an exploding airbag. We can't totally blame the auto makers either. While airbags were still in the research and development phase, the automotive industry conducted tests that clearly demonstrated the potential for fatal injuries associated with airbag deployment, and the industry itself concluded that the life-saving airbag could also be life-threatening.

The Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Louisville and the Kentucky Medical Examiner's Office have been conducting an on-going study for the past 10 years to identify injuries associated with air bag deployment. Their study has irrefutably indicated that an occupant in close proximity to a deploying air bag can sustain severe injuries such as traumatic amputation of fingers, hands and forearms, pulverized compound fractures of the forearms and fractures of the upper arms,and even death. These injuries and possible death can occur no matter what the speed of the vehicle is. These injuries occur not only from the rapid forceful deploment of the bag itself, but from the rigid airbag cover which splits open, or sometimes just blows off when the bag deploys.

The driver's side airbag module is located within the center of the vehicle's steering wheel and is covered by some sort of rigid material--thermoplastic, rigid urethane foam covered with polyvinyl or rigid metal plates covered with foam and vinyl. At the moment of deployment the cover splits along seams intentionally weakened in manufacture and rapidly opens outward to allow the airbag to inflate, averaging between 144 mph and 211 mph.

A survey of 184 cars in the model year 1999 revealed that 85% have the horn activation button located in the airbag module cover. Drivers often place their hand on the horn right before an accident, exactly the most dangerous location if their airbag deploys! Passengers have also sustained very severe injuries when they attempted to brace themselves by placing their hand on the dashboard. Today, no warning labels inform the driver or passenger of these risks from placing hands or forearms on driver or passenger side air bag module covers. As long ago as 1972, Ford Motor Company recommended a warning placard be affixed to the crash pad directly in front of the right front passenger to warn of hazards associated with the air bag.

So far, the airbag systems developed over the last few years have made progress, with multistage airbags and load cells that sense occupant weight and position. In September 2003 the first systems were introduced that turn off the airbag based on both occupant weight and position. But there is still a long way to go.