Airbags may increase leg injuries

The air has again come under more scrutiny, as motor insurance companies claiming that they may increase the risk of injury to the legs of the occupants of the car.

The study examined the results of 35,000 accident victims between the period of 1988 and 2004; their study revealed that passages who wore seatbelts in airbag equipped cars were at least risk of injury. But passages who did not wear seatbelts were at a bigger risk of death in cars equipped with airbags than those without.

The researchers also concluded that passengers in vehicles without airbags where at less risk of leg injuries. To be precise there was a 35% chance that no leg damage would occur.

An expert suggested that the reason for this is "the force of the impact was redirected in crashes involving airbags, with victims forced out beneath the seatbelt into the foot well, this is known as 'submarining."

The researcher did take time to point out that these finding should not be taken as absolute, many car manufacturers have spent millions on combating the problem.

Date - 15/09/2006