How Fast Do You Have To Go For Airbags To Deploy

There is no single speed at which airbags always deploy. Modern airbag systems use crash sensors and algorithms that assess factors such as the severity and direction of the impact, the rate of deceleration, seat-belt use and the vehicle’s design. In a moderate to severe frontal collision, deployment may occur at impact severities roughly comparable to striking a rigid barrier at around 10 to 16 mph for an unbelted occupant, although thresholds vary and this should not be treated as a universal rule. A vehicle travelling at a much higher road speed may not deploy its airbags if the particular impact does not create the type of deceleration the system is designed to detect. Conversely, airbags can deploy in some lower-speed but severe impacts. Side and curtain airbags use different sensing criteria. Airbags are supplemental restraints intended to work with seat belts. Whether an airbag deployed, or failed to deploy, should therefore be evaluated using the circumstances and vehicle data rather than speed alone.