NHTSA Warns Aftermarket Steering Wheel Decals Could Cause Serious Injury or Death in Crash

Decals can become hazardous projectiles during a collision due to the force of deploying airbags, leading to instances of serious injury such as one driver losing sight in an eye.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a warning against the use of aftermarket steering wheel decals, advising drivers not to attach any kind of decal to steering wheels on cars or trucks after at least one driver suffered a serious injury in a crash.
The federal agency detailed an incident where a rhinestone emblem became a projectile due to the force of a deploying airbag, leading to serious injury and the loss of sight in one eye of one driver.
These products, typically metal or plastic plates adorned with rhinestones or other decorations, become dislodged during a crash and can cause serious injury or death.
Contrary to these aftermarket decals, the permanent logos that car manufacturers place on steering wheels are designed to stay in place during a crash.
The NHTSA urges drivers to avoid purchasing aftermarket steering wheel decals and to remove any that are already attached.