2003 Honda Accord Owner's Manual - Page 47

Additional Information About Your Airbags If you ever have a moderate to severe frontal collision, the sensors will detect the car's rapid deceleration. If the rate of deceleration is high enough, the control unit will instantly inflate the front airbags. During a frontal crash, your seat belts help restrain your lower body and torso. Your airbag provides a cushion to help restrain and protect your head and chest. Since both airbags use the same sensors, both airbags normally inflate at the same time. However, it is possible for only one airbag to inflate. This can occur when the severity of a collision is at the margin, or threshold, that determines whether or not the airbags will deploy. In such cases, the seat belt will provide sufficient protection, and the supplemental protection offered by the airbag would be minimal. After inflating, the front airbags immediately deflate, so they won't interfere with the driver's visibility, or the ability to steer or operate other controls. The total time for inflation and deflation is approximately one-tenth of a second, so fast that most occupants are not aware that the airbags deployed until they see them lying in their laps. 46 Driver and Passenger Safety