Do Grille Guards Interfere with Airbags?
Driver safety is a primary concern for trucking companies across the United States and improved safety is just one benefit of grille guards. Grille guards provide an added layer of protection from animal collisions and traffic accidents that can help keep drivers safe on the road.
A primary concern with aftermarket parts like grille guards is if they will interfere with onboard safety systems like radar collision avoidance systems or installed airbags and we want to help answer those questions at RIGGUARD. Trucking companies and drivers may want to know — do grille guards interfere with airbags? We are here to help.
Do Grille Guards Affect Airbag Deployment in Semi Trucks?
There is no definitive answer to whether airbag deployment is affected by grille guards — because it depends on the design of the grille guard and how it is installed. RIGGUARD grille guards are installed via the truck’s front-mounted tow hitch receivers if equipped or a tow mount feature included with the mounting kit. Grille guards that are mounted to the body and not the bumper (as with most brands) may cause unintended deployment in an accident according to studies done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a grille guard that is not properly installed and hangs lower than the bumper can get caught on inclines and cause the airbags to deploy. When you purchase a grille guard for your truck, it is important that it is properly installed to avoid any interference with equipped airbags. Be sure to contact the RIGGUARD Team with any questions about installation.
Do Semi Trucks Have Airbags?
Did you know that an estimated 13,000 commercial truck accidents are rollovers each year? An estimated 70% of rollover truck accidents involve Class 8 trucks and an estimated 30% of rollover accidents involve single unit trucks. An estimated 47% of truck driver fatalities occur in rollover accidents. Driver-side airbags are a key safety measure that can prevent driver fatalities in the event of a rollover.
With that said — airbags are optional in Class 8 semi trucks and in most cases, must be added by trucking companies or fleet managers. Volvo trucks are the only commercial trucks that come standard with driver-side airbags — but airbags are available via most Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). In addition to airbags that can be installed by the OEM, IMMI is a company that provides aftermarket safety systems for commercial trucks that include RollTek side-roll airbags.
READ MORE: Is a Grille Guard Worth the Investment for Your Truck?
If you are concerned about your own safety as a driver or your drivers’ safety as a fleet manager, you may have considered grille guards as an extra layer of protection and you may have asked — do grille guards interfere with airbags? We may be able to answer your questions right here at RIGGUARD. Contact us today to learn more about our grille guards and mounting kits!