Abstract: In a device with inflatable members for protecting vehicles against impacts, once inflated, the inflatable members are disposed alongside each other so as to have a general shape substantially identical to the general shape of the area of the vehicle to be protected. The inflatable members each have a general shape enabling them to be interleaved laterally with the two directly adjacent inflatable members.

Abstract: A method of protection against impacts between two vehicles by means of an member, in which each of the vehicles includes an inflatable member adapted to be deployed under control of a signal commanding opening of the inflatable member, the method including the steps of detecting from a first vehicle an impending collision of the two vehicles, transmitting from the first vehicle a first signal commanding opening of the inflatable member associated with the first vehicle; receiving the first signal commanding opening of the inflatable member associated with the first vehicle, by the second vehicle, and transmitting to the second vehicle a second signal commanding opening of the inflatable member associated with the second vehicle. A device for implementing the above method is also disclosed.