sideairbag

Side airbag, sometimes written as sideairbag, is a type of automotive airbag designed to protect occupants in a lateral collision. It inflates rapidly to provide a cushion between the occupant and the vehicle structure, aiming to reduce chest and abdominal injuries and fatal outcomes from side impacts.

Most side airbags are installed as seats-mounted side torso airbags, located at the outer edge of the front seat backrest, or as door-mounted airbags embedded in the door panel. Some vehicles also feature curtain airbags that deploy along the window line to shield the head in side impacts or rollovers.

Deployment is triggered by sensors connected to an airbag control unit. Upon detecting a severe side crash, a gas inflator rapidly fills the bag with inert gas or a gas generated by a pyrotechnic charge. Some systems use multi-stage inflators to adjust inflation to occupant size and crash severity.

Effectiveness varies with crash type and occupant position. Side airbags can significantly reduce thorax injuries and fatalities in moderate to severe side impacts, but they are not universally protective. Proper seating, seat belts, and compatible child restraints influence overall effectiveness.

History and regulation: Side airbags became common in the 1990s and 2000s as part of general vehicle safety improvements. Regulatory standards and testing in different regions (eg, US FMVSS 214, UNECE regulations, and IIHS side-impact tests) evaluate deployment performance and protective benefits.