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The SRS airbags effectively cushion the occupants as their bodies are thrown forward in a collision. Another safety feature is the steering wheel collapsing to prevent injury to the driver.
Once the airbag has deployed, the steering wheel collapses away from the driver to minimise head and chest injuries.
It is an Australian Design Rule (ADR) that all new vehicles manufactured have a collapsible steering wheel, however Mazda's new system in the Mazda3 sees the steering wheel collapsing horizontally rather than vertically or axially. This means the impact is more evenly distributed across the entire steering wheel and that it moves away from the driver rather than lowering toward the driver's knees.
Safety benefits
In the event of an accident, injury to the driver's head and chest is minimised because the steering wheel collapses after the airbag has deployed. |