To minimize the potential risk of SAB-related injuries to occupants - especially children - a group of automotive and insurance industry experts known as the Technical Working Group (TWG) developed voluntary SAB standards and testing procedures. Manufacturers now report to the government if the SABs in a given vehicle model have met the voluntary standards.

To find out if your vehicle's SABs meet the TWG standards, visit and search the vehicle database by make, model, and year. Vehicles reported as meeting the TWG voluntary standards will indicate "Meets Specification" beside the "SAB Out Of Position Testing" entry under "Air Bags." These out of position testing standards were developed primarily with children in mind. TWG standards information can also be found in the annual NHTSA "Buying a Safer Car" brochures.

Prior to the development of the recommended TWG standards, many chest (torso) and head/chest combination (combo) SABs showed a potential for serious or fatal injury to children seated too close to a deploying air bag. However, very few vehicles sold in the U.S. have these types of SABs in the rear seating positions.

NHTSA has not seen any indication that current roof-mounted head SABs pose a risk to children. Many roof-mounted SABs now extend rearward to include the second and even the third row seating positions. You can check your owner's manual or visit and search the vehicle database to learn whether your vehicle is equipped with SABs, and if so, what type.

As of 2008, NHTSA has investigated over 1,500 cases where SABs have deployed in crashes. Sixty of the cases have involved children (ages 13 and under). NHTSA crash investigators found no moderate or serious injuries to these children as a result of SAB deployments. NHTSA continues to closely monitor real-world SAB deployments involving both children and adults.