At What Speed Do Airbags Deploy?
Last Updated Apr 12, 2020 11:46:01 AM ET
An airbag fully deploys at a speed of about 60 to 186 miles an hour upon impact. Comparatively, this is the top speed of Japan's Shinkansen Bullet Train. The bag is completely operational in about 0.03 seconds.
After it deploys, an airbag quickly deflates. The entire process is completed within 0.10 seconds. This is about the speed of an eye blink. Air bags do not engage during very low-speed contact. The car must be moving at least 12 to 18 miles per hour. A driver's side airbag pops out of the steering wheel, while the one on the passenger side is hidden inside the dashboard.
More From Reference
Will 5G Impact Our Cell Phone Plans (or Our Health?!)
The Secret Science of Solving Crossword Puzzles
Racist Phrases to Remove From Your Mental Lexicon
Is the Coronavirus Crisis Increasing America's Drug Overdoses?
Fact Check: What Power Does the President Really Have Over State Governors?
Festival of Sacrifice: The Past and Present of the Islamic Holiday of Eid al-Adha