Yes Virginia, Air Bags Are Still Evolving
Airbags may not be the sexiest auto tech to discuss — until you need them. I never thought twice about airbags in my old Taurus until an elderly man, who thought he was in the turn lane, came to a full stop in my lane. I couldn’t avoid hitting him and the impact set off my airbag. I remember a loud pop, realized the air was full of what looked like smoke, and then noticed I was bleeding where the bag’s cover had scraped my inner arms. All in all, however, it was better than my head making contact with the steering wheel.
Fast forward in my life to my forties when I became responsible for the care of an elderly, disabled person and airbags were one of the first things I asked about when I began shopping for the Honda Odyssey we drive now. I wanted her fragile bones protected in pretty much every way possible. I was surprised then at how far the protection had evolved. We have a 2004 that has a warning indicator showing when the passenger bags are turned off. It’s meant to protect children small enough to be injured when the bag deploys. In our case it usually happens when I put a bag of groceries on the seat.
In the past five years airbags have continued to evolve in terms of placement and deployment. Now Toyota has come up with rear seat bags designed to prevent passenger head injury in the event of a collision from the rear. On impact, the bag comes out of the roof in front of the back window and creates a curtain barrier to minimize impact. It seems like a simple idea — once someone has developed it. (Toyota has also developed knee airbags.)
Sometimes its these seemingly inelegant little advances that prove crucial when push comes to shove. So the next time you’re shopping for a new car (which granted in this economy may be awhile) ask about things like this. Trust me, you’ll be glad they’re there when you need them.