Airbag Danger for Short People

Did you know that auto makers design cars to accommodate people of average height which is considered 5-feet-8-inches? Reaching the pedals and seeing over the steering wheel can create problems for shorter drivers who usually are teens, elderly, and some women.

One of the down sides of moving the seat closer to the pedals is that the shorter driver is now in the airbag danger zone, or closer than 10 or 12 inches from the steering wheel. Being too close to the airbag is highly dangerous as the full on impact can gravely injure the shorter driver and crush delicate senior citizens.

Short people are at risk of being injured or killed by the full force of an inflating airbag.

Another solution is airbag switches that allow the driver to turn the airbag on or off at will -- to accommodate shorter drivers as well as their average or taller spouses and driving companions.

Airbag switches are also available to control the passenger airbag. This is especially important if you need to seat children in front, or if you carry passengers who are especially likely to be severely injured by the force of an airbag. The federal government recognizes this danger and gives permission for those who fit these categories to have an airbag switch installed.