Small drivers sit close to the steering wheel.

In the real world, driver does not always place his/her head on the head reast.

In the real world, combination of forward and side movement of the driver's body can happen.

A car should be designed safe for people of various sizes.



========= front - side side - front

13. If a car is hit on the driver's side, do all the side airbags deploy? Typically only the side airbag on the driver's side will deploy, as well as the rear-seat side airbag on the same side, if present. If the car is hit on the passenger side, the front and rear seat side airbags on the passenger side will deploy. On rare occasions, if the crash is sufficiently severe, with multiple impacts, the side airbags on the non-struck side might also deploy.

Some manufacturers are now designing side airbags to deploy in some frontal crashes as well as side impacts. These are typically offset frontal crashes that involve rapid rotation of the vehicle, and the side airbags can help keep occupants' heads inside the occupant compartment or from hitting hard surfaces inside the vehicle. Conversely, frontal airbags may deploy to help protect occupants in side impacts. For example, if a vehicle is moving forward at the time of its side impact, this forward motion will be stopped and the frontal airbags can help prevent serious injuries.

©1996-2003, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute
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