What's the story on the safety value added by the knee airbags in the '07?

 

PRICELESS if you are involved in a severe head-on collision.

 

They're supposed to keep you from sliding under the dash in the event of a bad front end collision. The older models like my '05 have padded bolsters under the dash, supposed to do the same thing.

 

Do a search on TOTALED CROSSFIRE and you may see what happened to me in August. The knee bar worked well for me, but the airbags were the real aid because I am six feet I can't down and under easily.

My mother had a similar accident and she shattered a knee and crushed ribs as she did go down and under and the steering wheel did a job on her. (the airbags helped push her downward because she is so small).
I expect all more expensive cars to adopt knee bags as they work well with airbags to control the body and stop the rag doll effect.

Because of my accident, I was really glad to see that the 07's now have knee bags on both sides. I now drive my new one with even more confidence than before, concerning what a solid and safe vehicle it is.

RP

 

What proportion/percentage of collisions are headon vs. side?

I'm wondering if driving habits figure. For example, I commute on mostly two lane roads at 55, rather than four lane, divided highways at 80. Maybe I'm more of a candidate for a headon collision even if I'm not much of a passer...others are.

My insurance agent has no info to share.

Thoughts?

 

I wouldn't have thought to consider knee air bags in a new car. After reading the info here, I'm kinda sorry I know. The chance of me needing them is slight at best. That said it will always be on my mind from now on because I like my knee caps and would expect to have them for a long time in working order. If it were me I'd get the car I want and can afford no matter knee air bags or not.