Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyMomma  I'm 5' tall as well, those things scare me. I have to sit right up at the steering wheel. |
HappyMomma, Taken from the FAQ section at the NHTSA web site:
Questions & Answers Regarding Air Bags Q14:I'm a short person, so I sit very close to the steering wheel. What can I do to avoid serious injuries from the air bag? A:It is important to remember that the number of drivers killed by air bags is small and that many more drivers are saved by air bags than are killed by them. A majority of the drivers killed by an air bag were not using their safety belts. All drivers need to be properly belted and sit as far away from the air bag as possible to allow the air bag to deploy. Short drivers should move the driver's seat rearward to allow as much space as possible between the driver's chest and the steering wheel. The seat back may be tilted back slightly to help maximize this distance. To the extent possible, the driver should hold the steering wheel from the side so that his or her arms aren't between the driver and the air bag. This arm positioning will allow the bag more room to deploy.