Gardaí in Kilkenny warn about car modification that can potentially cause injuries

Gardaí in Kilkenny have issued a warning over the potentially dangerous implications of sticking items to the dashboard of a vehicle where the airbag deploys.

"One of our members came across this well meaning sign (pictured above) affixed to the dashboard on the passenger side of a vehicle today," a garda spokesperson said.

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"Upon closer scrutiny the 7cm 'No Smoking' steel disc was stuck onto the dash in the area that the passenger airbag is deployed from.

"An automotive airbag deploys in 15-50 milliseconds and at speeds as low as 20kmh. The airbag gasses, cloth and anything else then travel at 160-300 kmh. In other words - a 100 mph steel disc firing at YOU!"

The owner subsequently removed the disc and although it left a 'nasty mark' on the dash, gardaí stated that it is 'better than being grievously injured'.

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Local gardaí have urged motorists, before modifying their car in any way, to 'make sure you keep in mind that the manufacturer has spent hundreds of millions on reducing the risk to you, your passengers and other road users'.