Quote:
fritz said:
Nevertheless I admit that whereas I always buckle up in a car, I do not give thought to the question whether the car I am riding in is fitted with airbags. I would think about it when ordering a car though, so it is a marketing consideration in my view.



That was my feelings also until I broadsided a standingstill Nissan Sentra in my BMW 3-series on the freeway at 65 mph. The Nissan had no side airbags or head protection airbag. The driver suffered major injuries to the torso and the head because she had no airbags. Even though the BMW suffered major damage, my wife, child and myself walked away with minor scratches. On the outside of the BMW, it was a very violent crash, but inside it was a very controlled event.

The new BMWs now have a crash program that are activated when the car is in an accident including turning on the flashers and the interior lights. Two features I could have used when I had the accident.

Now, how a car performs in crashes are just as important as its performance.