Support us

AirbagNorway

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Norway

133. Airbag

An airbag is a vehicle safety device that rapidly inflates during certain collisions to help reduce the risk of an occupant striking the steering wheel, dashboard, doors or other parts of the vehicle interior. Vehicles may have frontal, side, curtain or other types of airbags.

Airbags form part of a supplemental restraint system (SRS) and are designed to work together with seat belts rather than replace them. Occupants should sit correctly, wear their seat belts and follow the vehicle manufacturer's instructions concerning airbags and child-restraint systems.

Car crash test at 40 km/h with different safety measures: safety belt and airbag (front), safety belt only (back, right) and no safety measures (back, left).
Wikimedia.org • Transport For NSW • CC BY-SA
What is an airbag?

An airbag is an inflatable vehicle safety device designed to help protect occupants during certain types of collision.

How does an airbag work?

Sensors detect collision conditions and, when the system determines that deployment is required, the airbag inflates extremely quickly to provide additional protection between the occupant and parts of the vehicle interior.

Does an airbag replace a seat belt?

No. Airbags are supplemental restraints and are designed to work together with seat belts. Occupants should always wear their seat belts where required.

What types of airbags can a car have?

Vehicles may have front airbags, side airbags, curtain airbags, knee airbags and other specialised airbags. The number and location depend on the vehicle design.

Does an airbag deploy in every collision?

No. Airbag systems are designed to deploy only when sensors detect collision conditions for which deployment is intended. Different airbags may deploy in different types of crashes.

Can an airbag be dangerous to a rear-facing child seat?

Yes. A rear-facing child restraint must not be placed in front of an active frontal passenger airbag because deployment can cause severe injury. The airbag must be deactivated where the vehicle and local rules permit such installation.

Can you switch off a passenger airbag?

Some vehicles allow the front passenger airbag to be deactivated, particularly when a rear-facing child restraint must be installed there. Follow the vehicle manufacturer's instructions carefully.

What does the airbag warning light mean?

An illuminated airbag or SRS warning light can indicate a fault in the restraint system. The system should be checked and repaired according to the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.

Can an airbag be reused after it deploys?

No. A deployed airbag is normally a single-use component and must be replaced together with any other affected restraint-system components before the system can function correctly again.

Should you sit close to an airbag?

Occupants should use a normal, correctly adjusted seating position and avoid placing themselves unnecessarily close to the airbag cover. Follow the seating and steering-wheel adjustment guidance provided by the vehicle manufacturer.

1 Norway 2 Motorway 3 Zone 4 Speed limit 5 Tunnel 6 Speed bump 7 Slope 8 Bus lane 9 Give way 10 Roundabout 11 Priority road 12 Railway crossing 13 School area 14 Crossing animals 15 Rockfall 16 Aircraft 17 Curve 18 Roadworks 19 Radar speed sign 20 Traffic lights 21 Traffic lights warning 22 Driving licence 23 Cycling route 24 Parking 25 No parking 26 Parking disc 27 Reversing 28 Horse riding 29 City limit 30 Licence plate 31 Charging station 32 Dangers 33 Truck 34 Bus 35 Police 36 Ambulance 37 Taxi 38 European emission standard 39 Pothole 40 Path 41 Particulates 42 Air pollution 43 Rush hour 44 Road code 45 Street gutter 46 Cargo bike 47 Forestry vehicle 48 Construction vehicle 49 Semi-trailer truck 50 Trolleybus 51 Speed pedelec 52 Delivery vehicle 53 Idling 54 Tow truck 55 Four-wheel drive 56 Bicycle 57 Motorcycle equipment 58 Rail track 59 Caravan 60 Trailer 61 Tow hitch 62 Fire truck 63 Siren 64 Convoy 65 Emergency vehicle lighting 66 Agricultural machinery 67 Electric bicycle 68 Electric vehicle 69 Pedelec 70 Quadricycle 71 Microcar 72 All-terrain vehicle 73 Van 74 Recreational vehicle 75 Scooter 76 Trikke 77 Personal mobility device 78 Skateboard 79 Segway 80 Kick scooter 81 Roller skates 82 Mailman 83 Hitchhiker 84 Toddler 85 Child 86 Disability 87 Snowmobile 88 Motorail 89 km/h 90 mph 91 Speedometer 92 Ride height 93 Dirt road 94 Driving 95 Start-stop system 96 Manual transmission 97 Automatic transmission 98 Throttle 99 Tachometer 100 Steering wheel ... 101 Power steering 102 Visual scanning 103 Mirror 104 Fuel 105 Fuel gauge 106 Petrol 107 Diesel 108 Diesel exhaust fluid 109 Car insurance 110 First aid kit 111 Fire extinguisher 112 High-visibility clothing 113 First aid 114 Concrete step barrier 115 Barriers 116 Vehicle lights 117 Street lights 118 Dipped beam 119 High beam 120 Fog lights 121 Front fog lights 122 Rear fog lights 123 Side lights 124 Turn signals 125 Hazard lights 126 Dashboard lights 127 Bicycle lighting 128 Bicycle bell 129 Headlight flashing 130 Seat belt 131 Child restraints 132 Head restraints 133 Airbag 134 ABS 135 Esp 136 Traction control system 137 Helmet 138 Bicycle helmet 139 Hands-free 140 Smartphone 141 GPS 142 Brake 143 Handbrake 144 Brake fluid 145 Tyres 146 Tyre code 147 Winter tyres 148 Tyre pressure 149 Snow chains 150 Bicycle tyre 151 Continuous track 152 Gross Vehicle Weight 153 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 154 Cargo 155 Car body 156 Trunk 157 Roof rack 158 Windscreen 159 Emergency hammer 160 Car battery 161 Traction battery 162 Suspension 163 Shock absorber 164 Spring 165 Exhaust 166 Exhaust gas 167 Soot 168 Catalytic converter 169 Engine 170 Petrol engine 171 Diesel engine 172 Electric motor 173 Timing belt 174 Glow plug 175 Cylinder 176 Engine oil 177 Coolant 178 Maintenance 179 Spare tyre 180 Flat tyre 181 Jack 182 Vehicle inspection 183 Key 184 Dashboard 185 Windscreen wiper 186 Doors 187 Glovebox 188 Visibility 189 Rain 190 Fog 191 Hail 192 Sunlight 193 Sunglasses 194 Salt 195 Air conditioning 196 Hydroplaning 197 Distraction 198 Emotions 199 Road rage 200 Health 201 Epilepsy 202 Night blindness 203 Visual impairment 204 Fatigue 205 Defects 206 Traffic violation 207 Alcohol 208 Alcohol control 209 Ignition interlock device 210 Breath test 211 Breath analysis 212 Blood alcohol content 213 Blood test 214 Saliva test 215 Drugs 216 Medication 217 Penalties 218 Speeding 219 Smoking 220 Traffic enforcement camera 221 Double curve 222 Accident 223 Injuries 224 Nosebleed 225 Damage 226 Breakdown 227 Warning triangle 228 Traffic rules 229 Driving school 230 Traffic signs