Final answer:
Drivers should sit at least 10 inches away from the airbag module for optimal safety. Airbags deploy upon impact and, when combined with correct seat positioning, they enhance vehicle safety by spreading out the forces experienced during a crash.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of how many inches you must sit away from an airbag is primarily related to health and safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises that drivers sit with at least 10 inches between the center of their chest and the cover of the airbag module to reduce the risk of injury from airbag deployment.
Airbags are designed to deploy upon impact and provide a cushion while bringing the vehicle occupants to a stop in the event of a crash. This cushioning effect allows the force experienced by occupants to be spread out over a longer period of time, substantially reducing the severity of the force and, consequently, the risk of serious injury. Vehicle safety features like airbags work most effectively when combined with proper seating position and seat belt usage.