What is the maximum speed at which airbags deploy?

Airbags are designed to deploy at specific speeds during a collision to provide maximum protection to the occupants of a vehicle. The correct answer indicates that airbags typically deploy at a maximum speed of around 200 miles per hour. This threshold is based on crash tests and safety standards that evaluate the conditions under which airbags can effectively mitigate injury during high-speed collisions.

The design and engineering of airbag systems take into consideration various factors, including the severity of an impact and the amount of deceleration experienced by the occupants. Clearly, deploying at or above 200 mph helps to ensure that the airbags provide cushioning at high-impact scenarios where the risk of injury is significantly increased.

Airbags are calibrated to deploy when the forces of an accident reach a certain level, typically correlated with moderate to severe vehicle impacts, allowing for optimal function only when necessary. Understanding this mechanism can help drivers appreciate the critical role that airbags play in automobile safety.