Fact: Not necessarily. Air bags help make compact and subcompact cars more crash hardy, but they cannot fully compensate for the inherent safety advantage of driving a larger, heavier vehicle, even without airbags. Yes, that’s right…the size and weight of a vehicle matters more. Of course, we’re not discussing what’s most environmental or gas efficient here. (Hmmmm, how can we have it all? Maximum safety AND environmental consciousness?) Anyway, a 4500-pound full-size car, even without airbags, offers better occupant protection/survivability than a 2500-pound compact that has them. Also, air bags provide supplemental protection in frontal crashes, but you can slide under them if you’re not wearing a seat belt. (Always wear your seat belt!) Moreover, unless you have side air bags, front air bags will not help in a side impact and they definitely won’t help you in a rear-impact or rollover accident.