Airbags fail to save lives in high-speed crashes:Experts say speed weak vehicle structure make safety features ineffective; poor driving skills also a reason

Two recent accidents in Indore and nearby areas of Madhya Pradesh have raised serious concerns over the effectiveness of car safety systems, particularly airbags. In both cases, the vehicles were moving at high speed, and despite airbags deploying, the occupants died on the spot. The incidents highlight that airbags and basic safety features alone are not enough to save lives in severe crashes. Factors such as speed, vehicle design, and road conditions play a crucial role in determining accident outcomes. These tragedies have sparked fear and concern, while also underlining the need for stricter safety standards, better vehicle design, and stronger road safety awareness campaigns by car manufacturers and the traffic department. First accident: Ralamandal Bypass, January 9 Second accident: Indore-Dewas Bypass, January 17
In the early hours of January 17, a speeding car crashed into the back of a truck on the Indore-Dewas Bypass. Transporter Vikram Singh Rana, who was in the car, died on the spot in the accident. Rana’s head and neck were severely damaged. His neck was stuck in the steering wheel. The car’s two front airbags deployed, but could not save his life. Police estimate that the car’s speed was more than 100 km/h. In the accident, the front part of the car had to be cut to retrieve the body. Why didn’t the airbags work?
Bhaskar spoke to automobile safety expert Sanjay Bagaria on this issue. He clearly states that airbags are not a guarantee that lives will be saved in every accident. If the speed is very high, the force exerted on the body during a collision is so great that even airbags cannot handle it. Weak structure also a big danger Sanjay Bagaria says that if a car’s body structure is weak, airbags also become ineffective. During a crash, a weak structure bends, the cabin collapses, and passengers suffer severe direct injuries. Experts add that due to rising inflation, many manufacturers cut costs on structural strength to keep prices low. Cars with strong bodies and high-quality airbags become expensive, making middle-class buyers hesitant to purchase them. Vehicle modifications raise safety risks Safety experts warn that a vehicle’s structure and balance can be affected by several factors, including installing alloy wheels of a size different from the manufacturer’s specification, imbalanced alloy wheels, and mismatched spare and alloy wheel sizes. Such changes can make the car unstable, significantly increasing the risk of losing control at high speeds.