Airbag deployments: the Canadian experience

Transport Canada is undertaking an in-depth study of motor vehicle collisions involving airbag deployments. University-based collision investigation teams across Canada are used to collect crash data. The primary objective of the study is to gain a better understanding of the injuries and the injury mechanisms associated with airbag deployments among both restrained and unrestrained occupants. Preliminary results show an exceptionally high level of seatbelt use in conjunction with the supplemental air cushion restraints. Most crashes are, however, of only minor to moderate severity, in which the seatbelt systems alone would be expected to provide adequate occupant protection. Initial findings indicate that, at the lower end of the collision severity spectrum, deployment of an airbag may, in some circumstances, increase the overall likelihood of injury to a restrained occupant. This suggests that the current deployment threshold is set too low, at least for belted occupants.