I’ve thought about that because I’m petite (5’3” and 108 pounds). My friend’s minivan has a passenger side airbag that turns off when I’m in the seat. Doesn’t make me feel too safe.
My car...Subaru Forester...has a sensor that turns the passenger airbag off 65 pounds and under. I guess because of the height/weight of a young child the force of the bag can be fatal.
Makes me wonder about my own safety!
My wife is 5'0" and about 100 (so small that I sometimes can't locate her at 2AM on the queensized bed :)
Anyway I read some more material starting at Wikipedia and found that (a) the number of all deaths/injuries from this situation (even counting children) seems to be quite miniscule, like less than 100 annually (it might have been several year period, don;t recall); (b) so long as the seatbelt naturally positions on the hips/pelvis, across the ribcage, and the person is sitting with back against the seat with knees naturally bent at the front edge of the seat, it seems to be OK. Also face should be minimum of 10 inches from airbag deployment compartment on dash (for driver as well).
I'll double-check next time she's in the car, but I think wifey is safe.