How far should your breastbone be from the vehicle's airbag for optimal safety?

For optimal safety, the breastbone should ideally be positioned at a distance of 25 cm (10 inches) from the vehicle's airbag when it deploys. This distance ensures that the airbag can effectively cushion the impact during a collision without causing injury to the driver or passenger.

Airbags are designed to inflate rapidly and provide a safety barrier in a crash. If a person is seated too close to the airbag, the force of deployment can lead to serious injuries, particularly to the chest, neck, and face. Maintaining a distance of about 25 cm establishes a safe margin, allowing the airbag to fully deploy and inflate before it reaches the occupant.

In practice, this means that the seat should be adjusted appropriately to allow for this distance, ensuring that the driver can still maintain full control of the vehicle while also being safely positioned relative to the airbag. This guideline is critical for preventing airbag-related injuries while maximizing the protective benefits of this safety feature.