Six Airbags Or Two Airbags With A Stable Body Shell?

Ever noticed the 'SRS Airbags' engraving on your vehicle's horn pad or above the passenger glove box? Secondary Restraint Systems, abbreviated as SRS, are true to their name and work only when the primary restrain systems are in action. So, in terms of the safety standards of a vehicle, there are multiple factors involved, and here we will discuss the importance of six airbags or two airbags with a stable body structure.

Being the secondary restrain systems, airbags should not be considered to be the only parameter that increase the well being of the occupants in case of an incident uncalled for. Add as many airbags as you want, but an uneducated driver would end up harming himself and the others on the road too! Crash test ratings provide us with a fair idea of the well being of the occupants in the passenger capsule but, on the downside, are a much less comprehensive way of determining the real life safety standards of a vehicle as they are a mere attempt to replicate a theoretical accident. You, as a driver, need to understand the fact that having a 5 Star crash test rated vehicle with six airbags doesn't mean you can ride like a Hoonigan at 3 figure speeds that too on Indian roads. Moreover, an unsafe body shell would end up causing more damage, as already seen in some vehicles with six airbags split into two pieces! Some cars equipped with airbags have fetched a zero star safety rating too!

Also Read: Mandatory Six Airbags In India: A Boon Or A Bane, IRF Asks?

There are a million factors involved in the well being of the occupants in a vehicle, and one of the petty saviours is the presence of airbags. In a country like India, people have been involved in accidents because of poorly engineered or unmaintained roads and inappropriately placed speed bumps as well. Even when you are driving safely in your own lane and abiding by the speed limits, you are at potential risk of being involved in an accident. So, safety seems to be a much more subjective term.

With an increase in awareness regarding the build quality and safety rating of a vehicle, an increase in overall safety should be the priority while manufacturing a car. As it is, an increase in the number of airbags in a car should be looked upon only if a significant rise in occupant safety is observed post that addition; else it would simply be a burden on the customer's pocket with a pseudo-safety assurance. Many automotive manufacturers put up a million bells and whistles and offer a comprehensive list of equipment to attract customers but would cut the costs in a hideous way to keep the ex-showroom prices within limits, which might question the long term reliability of that vehicle.

The chassis of a vehicle comprises of many components, some of them being crumple zones and the impact members of a passenger capsule. The crumple zones are meant to absorb the impact in case of an unfortunate collision, and the passenger capsule is meant to stay intact, keeping the passengers safe. A stable body shell defines the extent of transfer of impact to different regions of the vehicle and is one of the most crucial parameters to be looked over while designing a car. If a vehicle doesn't score well with no airbags, two airbags or even six airbags for a matter, it is an issue that cannot be resolved with airbags alone. They're not acting as they are intended to and are merely an expensive one time party trick with fabric balloons.

Summing it up, the manufacturers should focus upon the overall safety of the occupants keeping aside the number of airbags and invest in a stable body shell to improve the structural rigidity of the chassis. On the part of the government, it is appreciable to find actions being taken with respect to the safety standards of a vehicle on road. On the individual level, You should abide by the laws and ensure your own safety on the road!

Also Read: Main Components Of Airbag System Of The Car - All Details!

So, what do you think about six airbags Vs two? Share your views in the comment section. Let's get into a discussion with this in our 91Wheels Telegram and 91Wheels Whatsapp group, where you can know more about vehicles, conduct discussions on your favourite ride, and much more! You can also subscribe to our Youtube channel for our exclusive video content on the latest from the world of cars and motorcycles. Also, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more about vehicles!