As of 1999, what does federal law require for all new vehicles?

Federal law, as of 1999, requires all new vehicles to be equipped with driver-side airbags. This regulation was put in place to enhance safety by reducing the risk of injury to drivers during collisions. Driver-side airbags are an essential feature because they deploy in the event of a crash, providing a cushioning effect and helping to protect the driver’s head and upper body from impact.

While passenger-side airbags have also become standard in many vehicles, the specific requirement established in 1999 focused primarily on the driver-side airbag, reflecting the priority of protecting the driver, who is at the controls of the vehicle. Multiple airbags have become common in vehicles as safety technology has evolved, but the foundational standard mandated a driver-side airbag as a critical safety measure for new vehicles.