Air bags — Kentucky Permit Test

Air bags are supplemental restraints designed to deploy in moderate to severe crashes, and they work best in combination with safety belts.

The word supplemental is the point. The bag adds to the belt rather than replacing it.

Air bags are supplemental restraints typically designed to deploy in moderate to severe crashes

The entire air bag deployment process takes about 1/20th of a second, faster than the blink of an eye.

There is no time to brace or move. Whatever position the body is in is the position it is caught in.

The entire air bag deployment process takes about 1/20th of a second – faster than the blink of an eye.

When an air bag deploys, a powder-like substance often fills the compartment, which is only a drying agent for the airbag but could be mistaken for smoke.

People climb out of a car thinking it is on fire when it is not, which is worth knowing beforehand.

This substance is only a drying agent for the airbag but could be mistaken for smoke.

The driver's seat should be as far back from the steering wheel as possible while still allowing safe operation of the vehicle.

The further back the driver sits, the more room the bag has to open before it reaches them.

The driver’s seat should be as far back from the steering wheel as possible while still being able to operate the vehicle safely.

Drivers should place their hands on the outside of the steering wheel, never across it where the airbag deploys.

An arm across the wheel is thrown into the driver's own face when the bag opens.

Drivers should place their hands on the outside of the steering wheel – never across the steering wheel where the airbag deploys.

A rear-facing child safety seat must never be placed in front of an active passenger air bag.

The bag opens straight into the back of the seat, where the child's head is.

Never place a rear-facing child safety seat in front of an active passenger air bag.

Children 12 years of age and under should ride in the back seat in a safety belt or child restraint system.

The back seat is the safest place in the car for a child, whatever the air bags do.

Children 12 years of age and under should ride in the back seat in a safety belt or child restraint system.

The passenger seat should be set as far back as possible from the dashboard, and passengers should avoid placing arms, legs or personal items on the dashboard.

Anything resting on the dashboard becomes a projectile when the bag underneath it opens.

Passengers should also avoid placing arms, legs, or any personal items on the dashboard.

How does Kentucky describe air bags?

As supplemental restraints designed to work best with safety belts. The word supplemental is the point. The bag adds to the belt rather than replacing it. Kentucky Driver Manual, p.30: “Air bags are supplemental restraints typically designed to deploy in moderate to severe crashes”