Airbeds Used During Mudik Travel Pose Fatal Safety Risks

Jakarta – As the Lebaran mudik season approaches, many families begin preparing various items to make long journeys more comfortable. One common practice is placing an airbed or folding mattress on the rear seats of vehicles so that passengers, particularly children, can rest during the trip. However, this practice carries significant safety risks that should not be overlooked.

According to Marcell Kurniawan, Training Director at Real Driving Centre (RDC), using airbeds inside the vehicle cabin whilst driving actually increases the risk of injury in the event of an accident.

Kurniawan explained that one of the primary reasons airbeds are dangerous is that passengers cannot properly use seatbelts. Seatbelts are designed to keep the body in a seated position when a vehicle experiences impact.

When passengers lie on an airbed, the vehicle’s safety systems no longer function optimally. In the event of a collision, a passenger’s body could be thrown in various directions inside the cabin without the protection of a seatbelt.

Additionally, lying down makes passengers more vulnerable to collisions with vehicle interior components such as seats, doors, or even other passengers. This risk increases significantly if the vehicle experiences a severe impact or rolls over.

For child passengers, Kurniawan recommends that parents use child car seats appropriate to the child’s age and weight. This equipment is specifically designed to provide maximum protection in the event of an accident.