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Side Air Bags: Today and Tomorrow
Transport Canada has conducted
extensive tests on side air bags with child crash test dummies. While testing is still
ongoing, two main conclusions stand out:
- Children who are leaning against a side air bag when it inflates are at risk of serious
injury.
- Children who are kept away from the path of the side air bag — for example,
children travelling in age-appropriate, correctly installed child restraints — are
not at risk of serious injury.
Transport Canada has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Canadian and
international motor vehicle manufacturers. Manufacturers have agreed to design future air
bags to meet the requirements of side air bag test protocols recommended by the Side Air
Bag Out-of-Position Injury Technical Working Group.
Until new side air bags designed to minimize the risk of injury enter the Canadian
automobile market, Transport Canada recommends that you follow precautions contained in
this fact sheet.
If you would like additional information on child safety and side air bags or on the
deactivation of side air bags, please contact our Information Centre at:
1-800-333-0371
or e-mail us at:
RoadSafetyWebmail@tc.gc.ca
Remember that the best way to protect children from the danger of collisions or
sudden stops is to restrain them properly, in the rear seat
of your vehicle – the "Kid Zone" – the
safest place for children aged 12 or under.
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