News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions. Parent comment

Re:Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use p... by ygra on Thursday October 13, 2016 @12:56AM (#12698531)
That's only in certain jurisdictions, I guess? Around here cars either have a big warning sticker not to put children backwards in the front passenger seat or have an option to disable the airbag. I don't think I've seen one that does it automatically. The only use the sensor gets is making noise when the passenger doesn't use the seat belt.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use p... by eric_h on Thursday October 13, 2016 @05:53PM (#12704361)
I'm pretty sure my dad's ~2001 saab 9-5 had an indicator on the dashboard as to whether the passenger side airbag was turned on. Of course, I could be misremembering.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use p... by eric_h on Thursday October 13, 2016 @06:18PM (#12704568)
Okay, a quick googling led me to this [1]

It appears that passenger side airbags that automatically disable are not required, but they were explicitly allowed ca 1997 by the NHTSA (as well as allowing a manual on/off switch). So my original point was somewhat mistaken. Of course, cars do have a weight sensor to alert you when the passenger seatbelt isn't fastened, so still, the car knows when you have a passenger.

1) http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle-Shoppers/Air-Bags/Deactivati...

[ Parent | on HN ]