What risk is associated with airbags deploying at high velocity?

Airbags are designed to deploy rapidly during a collision to cushion the impact for the occupants of the vehicle. However, if a person is sitting too close to the airbag at the time of deployment, the high velocity at which the airbag inflates can indeed result in additional injuries. The force with which an airbag deploys is significant, and being in close proximity can lead to severe harm, such as burns, abrasions, or even more serious injuries like fractures or concussions.

This emphasizes the importance of maintaining proper seating distance from the airbag. For safety reasons, it’s recommended that drivers and passengers sit at least 10 inches away from the steering wheel or dashboard, depending on the vehicle design. In contrast, other risks mentioned, such as leading to vehicle malfunctions or being less effective in collisions, do not directly relate to the high-speed deployment aspect of airbags, as they do not inherently compromise the airbag's function or cause mechanical issues.