For some people, these life saving and injury-preventing benefits come at the cost of a less severe injury caused by the air bag itself. Most air bag injuries are minor cuts, bruises, or abrasions and are far less serious than the skull fractures and brain injuries that air bags prevent. However, five people have been killed by air bags up until November 1, 1997. These deaths are tragic, but rare events. The vast majority of people can avoid being too close to an air bag and can minimize the risk of serious air bag injury by making simple changes in behavior.
Shorter drivers can adjust their driving position.
Front-seat adult passengers can sit a safe distance from their air bag. Infants and children age 12 and under should sit in the back seat. And everyone must buckle up. All 10 provinces and both territories have legislation that require all occupants of a vehicle to wear seat belts and children to be positioned in appropriate child seats. The limited number of people who cannot make these changes may benefit from having the opportunity to turn off their air bags when necessary.