06/08/2026
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In the event of an accident, a car will decelerate very suddenly. This is bad for any of the occupants inside, because they will continue to move at the same velocity until they also hit something stationary – usually the dashboard or steering wheel. This rapid stop is mitigated to some extent by the seatbelt, but it can only achieve so much, which is where airbags play their part.
Put simply, they are large nylon bags, folded neatly into a cubby until they are needed. All over the car, accelerometers detect sudden rates of deceleration which suggest an impact has occurred. These systems are linked to a small explosive device, which ignites to produce a sudden release of nitrogen gas. This gas fills the airbag, rapidly inflating it to cushion the blow for the car’s occupants. This entire process takes only four hundredths of a second.
Example of side airbags fitted to the Volvo V40
How does it feel?
It’s certainly a violent experience – the bang from the airbag’s deployment will probably leave your ears ringing, your face feeling like it’s been punched, and you’ll probably look like a clown thanks to the burst of talcum powder used to lubricate the device while stowed. Luckily, it’ll vastly reduce the risk of injury, so the pros and cons more than balance out favourably.
The first examples of airbags were stowed behind the steering wheel for the driver, and on the dashboard for the front passenger. These still exist today, and are often complemented by extra airbags in the side of the seats or door (side) pillars along the tops of the doors (curtain) and under the steering wheel in the foot well (knee).