Air bags are designed to save and protect car occupants. They lull car owners to a sense of security. But do these air bags really save and protect? Sadly, no. Most of the times, air bags are one of the causes of car accidents and deaths.
Consider this story:
When couple Lisa and Tommy bought a car, they settled for a particular model that included “precise, electronically controlled and impact-sensitive air bags” designed to protect passengers. They bring along their two kids whenever they travel and the presence of air bags gave them security and peace of mind.
“Now we can be assured that our kids are safe while in the car,” Lisa remarked contentedly.
How wrong she was!
On a trip one day with the kids, Tommy was driving placidly on the busy highway when, without any warning, front passenger air bags deployed. It momentarily blocked Tommy’s view of the road. Seized with panic, Tommy slammed on the brakes. He did not realized that his car was swerving diagonally and as a result, an oncoming truck from behind smashed his car and dragged it along the road. The accident caused him severe head injuries and, unfortunately, death to his 4-year old Kathy. 
Accidental air bag deployment remains a cause of vehicular road accidents. In fact, General Motors Corporation recalled 268,146 Buick Regals and Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme in year 2000 due to unplanned air bag deployment. Engineers discovered that corrosion overtime affected the internal wiring. Unintentional air bag deployment can occur during startup, while the car is idling, or during the normal driving on the road. Affected in this recall were car models produced in 1994 through 1996.
The same unplanned air bag deployment plagued Ford Motor Company cars. In 2000, this automaker recalled 3,002 Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers. Investigators discovered that several 4-door sport utility vehicles were equipped with side air bags that contained a new level side crash sensor. Air bags can deploy when the ignition key is in the “run” position. Explorers and Mountaineers produced in 2000 had this flaw.
Other models with the same faulty air bags:
DaimlerChrysler Corporation recalled 860,00 Chrysler Town and Country minivans, Dodge Caravans, Dodge Grand Caravans, Plymouth Voyagers, and Plymouth Grand Voyagers in 1999 due to reported intermittent short circuit in the air bag initiator wire when starting the car. The recall affected 1993 to 1995 models.
In 1999, Chrysler Corporation recalled 30,400 Dodge Ram Vans due to accidental deployment of air bags when a heavy object strike the metal casing of the air bag electronic control module.
Chrysler Corporation recalled 125,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees, Jeep Wranglers, Dodge Dakota Trucks, Dodge Neons, Plymouth Neons, and Dodge Vipers in 1997. Air bags accidentally deployed when turning off the car.
Toyota Motor Company, Ltd recalled 61,202 Toyota Corollas in 1997 due to unintended deployment of the vehicles’ air bags.
These are just a few of car models with defective air bags.
Since 1990, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 175 deaths because an unplanned air bag deployment. So far, 104 of these deaths have been children, while the remaining 71 have been adults.
Today, there have been vast air bag design improvements in newer car models. But road accidents happen, with or without these these safety air bags. The lurking culprits could be defective brakes, non-functional headlights and taillights, inferior tires, etc. It pays to be always prepared for these contingencies. Among your most important preparations are safe driving habits, a thorough check-up on the road worthiness of your vehicle , and an earnest prayer in your heart.
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