What is a common misconception about airbag use?

A common misconception about airbag use is that they provide full protection alone. This belief undermines the importance of using seat belts in conjunction with airbags. While airbags significantly enhance safety during a crash by reducing the risk of severe injury or death, they are designed to work in harmony with seat belts.

Seat belts are the primary safety restraint that keeps occupants firmly in their seats, preventing them from being thrown forward during a collision. Airbags deploy in a manner that helps cushion and protect the occupants once the seat belts have already secured them. If a person is not wearing their seat belt, they may be propelled forward too much during a crash, which can lead to serious injuries even with airbag deployment.

Thus, relying solely on airbags for protection is misguided. Current safety recommendations emphasize that the best way to ensure maximum protection in a vehicle is to always wear a seat belt, with airbags serving as an essential supplementary safety feature that provides additional protection during a crash. This accurate understanding highlights the crucial need for the combined use of both safety measures.