In this article, we will discuss if it is legal to drive with the airbag light on, what may cause it to come on, and what to do if you notice it has come on.
In short, it is legal to drive with an airbag light on, but it may be unsafe to do so. There may be a technical issue or perhaps there is a significant car issue and your airbags may not be functioning. Therefore, if you do notice that your airbag light is on, you should get it looked at as soon as possible.
Driving with the airbag light on may not be illegal but it isn’t advised as there may be issues with the car’s functioning. Let’s explore what it means when the airbag light comes on in a vehicle and what to do if it does.
Contents
Why You Shouldn’t Drive With the Airbag Light On
Driving your car with the airbag light on is not illegal, but it is not ideal. There is a reason why the airbag light has turned on even if it is just a sensor error, so it is important to get it checked out for your own safety.
If the light is correct and the airbag is not functioning properly, this can be unsafe for you if you are in a collision or crash. If the airbag does not work, then you can be injured or even cause death. It is highly advised to have your airbags activated and working at all times because you never know when a collision may occur.
The airbags in your car work with your seatbelts to protect you in a crash. They inflate a split second after impact and cushion your body by slowing the rate that you move. The front airbag can move toward you between 100 to 200 miles per hour. Airbags have saved many lives, which is why it is so important to wear your seatbelt and have operating airbags.
What Does the Airbag Light Look Like
It is important that you know what the airbag light looks like in your car, so you can be aware when it comes on.
In some cars, the airbag light will be an illustration of a person in a car seat with an airbag deploying. In other cars, you may have the words ‘Air Bag’ or ‘SRS’ light up (SRS means “supplemental restraint system”).
Some cars may be much clearer, such as having the words ‘airbag deactivated’ or ‘airbag off’, which lets you know immediately what it means. Know your car and what the symbols and messages on the dashboard mean, so you are not confused when things light up.
4 Causes for an Airbag Light to Come On in Your Car
There are a few reasons why your airbag light may come on in your vehicle, let’s explore what they are.
Sensors Loose or Activated
Sometimes sensors can become loose, which can cause errors to pop up on the dashboard. If you were in a crash and your car had detected it, but not to the point where the airbag needed to deploy, it may activate the airbag light.
Seatbelt Issues
If there are issues with the seatbelts, this may trigger the airbag light to come on.
Water Damage
If there is water damage to the car where the sensors have been affected, that may cause the airbag light to come on.
Depleted Battery
If the car battery gets depleted, it can affect the backup battery, which is connected to the airbag system.
These are some common issues for the airbag light to come on, but in order to find out the true cause for your car, ensure you take your car to the mechanic so they can tell you what has happened and fix the issue.
The Different Types of Airbags in a Car
There are multiple airbags in a car to keep the driver and passengers safe depending on where the location of the collision is with the car. Generally, there are at least six airbags in a car, but it will differ depending on the make and model of the car.
Here are the three different types of airbags that will most likely be in your vehicle:
Front Airbags
The front airbags are there to keep the driver and passengers protected in frontal or head-on crashes. There is the driver’s head airbag, the front passenger’s airbag, and there are head airbags for the other row of seats.
Side Airbags
The side airbags inflate in a side-on crash to protect people on the crashed side of the car. These are the side torso airbags, side curtain airbags, and head side airbags.
Knee Airbags
The knee airbags are a new airbag feature in cars to support people in their seated position in a front on crash. There is the driver’s knee airbag, which is located below the steering column, and the front passenger’s knee airbag is below the glove box.
The size of the airbags can vary due to the different makes and models of cars.
New Vehicle Airbag Inventions
There are airbags available for motorcycles and they are deployed between the rider and the handles, which can support them in a head-on collision.
There are inflatable seatbelts now available to help reduce an impact of a crash and soften the impact from an airbag to the torso when they deploy. They aren’t exactly airbags, but they are similar and have the same intention to protect you.
How Do I Know if My Car Has Good Quality Airbags?
If you want to find out the quality of the airbags in your car, you can use your vehicle identification number by entering it into the manufacturer’s website.
On the website, you will find all the information about the car’s airbag system and if there have been any flaws or recalls with them. You can also see where all the airbags are in your car and how many there are for your own interest if there ever is a collision.
Final Words
To conclude, it is not against the law to drive with the airbag light on. Even though it is not illegal, it is best to find out why it is on, so it can be fixed and ensure you can be kept safe by the airbags if you are in a collision.