Driving a vehicle lacking a functioning supplemental restraint system (SRS) control unit is possible, but strongly discouraged. The SRS control unit is the central computer that monitors impact sensors and deploys airbags in a collision. Without it, the airbags will not deploy. This exposes vehicle occupants to a significantly higher risk of serious injury or fatality in an accident.
A functioning SRS is a critical safety feature in modern vehicles. It works in conjunction with seatbelts to mitigate the forces experienced in a crash. While seatbelts provide primary restraint, airbags offer supplemental protection, especially to the head and chest. The development and implementation of airbag technology, overseen by regulatory bodies worldwide, has significantly reduced traffic fatalities over the past decades. Choosing to operate a vehicle with a compromised SRS negates these crucial safety advancements.
