For the first time, automakers are beginning to offer side airbags with head protection in more popular and less expensive passenger vehicles. Ford Motor Company rolled out its new side airbags for 1999 models, and crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety demonstrate the potential benefits of this safety technology in side impact crashes. The Institute, in ... Read More »
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Protect Your Car From Thieves
While some progress has been made, auto theft continues to be one of the nation's most costly property crimes, amounting to approximately $7.6 billion annually. In the U.S., a car is stolen every 21 seconds, according to the FBI Uniform Crime Reports. Read More »
Common Sense Prevents Car Theft
Car thefts increase in the summer, partly because many juveniles prone to crime are out of school for the summer, and may turn to stealing on "nothing-to-do" summer days. Read More »
How to Avoid Being a Victim of Auto Theft
You wake up one morning, get ready for work, grab your coffee and car keys and head outside to your automobile. Maybe you don't always lock it up, but who would want to steal an eight-year-old car from right in front of your house? Read More »
How to Drive a Vehicle with an Airbag Safely
Since the risk zone for driver air bags is the first 2-3 inches of inflation, placing yourself 10 inches from your driver air bag provides you with a clear margin of safety. This distance is measured from the center of the steering wheel to your breastbone. If you now sit less than 10 inches away, you can change your driving ... Read More »
Airbag Related Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
What is an on-off switch? An on-off switch allows an air bag to be turned on and off. The on-off switch can be installed for the driver, passenger, or both. To limit misuse, a key must be used to operate the on-off switch. When the air bag is turned off, a light comes on. There is a message on or ... Read More »
How to Stay Safe if You Turn Off Your Airbag
If I turn off my airbag for someone at risk, what precautions should I take for others? Since the airbag will not automatically turn itself back on after you turn it off with an on-off switch, you must remember to turn it on when someone who is not at risk is sitting in that seat. Every on-off switch has a ... Read More »
Why are some People at Risk for Airbag Injuries?
How do air bag deaths occur? Airbags are designed to save lives and prevent injuries by cushioning occupants as they move forward in a front-end crash. By providing a cushion, an airbag keeps the occupant’s head, neck, and chest from hitting the steering wheel or dashboard. To perform well, an airbag must deploy quickly and forcefully. The force is greatest ... Read More »
Driving Through the Third Age
Third Age drivers have acquired a wealth of motoring experience which should help them travel safely on our busy roads. However, this experience is oftentimes offset by the effects of aging. Sight, hearing, and judgment of speed and distance are not quite as sharp as they once were. Because these senses often deteriorate very gradually, Third-Agers may not be immediately aware of the full extent of the change. Read More »
Airbags and the “On-Off” Decision
How do you decide whether or not to turn off the airbags in your vehicle? It's a hard one. Read on to learn about the pros and cons. Read More »
