"Since the 1999 model year, the federal government has required automakers to install driver and passenger airbags for frontal impact protection in all cars, light trucks, and vans. But airbags began to be a popular feature beginning with 1990 models when manufacturers were required to install either automatic safety belts or airbags on new passenger cars. By the 1995 model year, virtually all cars and many light trucks were equipped with driver airbags. By the 1997 model year, most also had passenger airbags."
