At What Speed Do Side Airbags Deploy?

Side impact airbags deploy approximately 3 times as fast as the frontal airbags at . 12 to . 25 milliseconds. The leading edge speed of some airbags during deployment may approach speeds of approximately 495 mph.

How much force is needed to deploy an airbag?

Typically, a front airbag will deploy for unbelted occupants when the crash is the equivalent of an impact into a rigid wall at 10-12 mph. Most airbags will deploy at a higher threshold — about 16 mph — for belted occupants because the belts alone are likely to provide adequate protection up to these moderate speeds.

At what speed do airbags go off?

In most cases, the airbag will come out at a speed of between 100 to 220 miles per hour. At this speed, an airbag can cause significant damage to a person, so it is important to be at least 10 inches away from the airbag when it deploys. This is why wearing a seatbelt is extremely important.