This scientific poster describes a study that investigated whether or not specialized police equipment in patrol cars, or equipment work by patrol officers would interfere with deployment of airbags, and if airbag deployment would present any undue hazards to the officers. It was initiated in response to concerns by several Los Angeles Police Department patrol officers that spotlight handles located on the passenger side of patrol cars may interfere with airbag deployment and effectiveness. The 15 vehicles involved in the study were 1996 Ford Crown Victorias and 1994 through 1996 Chevrolet Caprices. A wide variety of collision configurations were represented in the study, from one unit that rear-ended a stopped vehicle to head-on collisions. In four cases, the police units struck a fixed object, with three impacting a building and one impacting a tree. In most cases, the occupants of the involved police units sustained relatively minor injuries (Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) 1). The study indicates that the specialized police equipment installed in the study vehicles offered no significant interference with either the deployment or effectiveness of airbags in real world collisions. The study also confirms the importance of always wearing seat belts, even in airbag equipped vehicles.
Abstract