American Coalition for Traffic Safety on the NHTSA's New Air Bag Regulation
18 November 1997
Statement by Philip W. Haseltine, President, American Coalition for Traffic Safety on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Regulation on Deactivating Airbags
WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 -- The following is a statement made by
Philip W. Haseltine, President, American Coalition for Traffic on the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Regulation on Deactivating Airbags:
Consumers wrestling with the decision to install an airbag on/off switch
should first consider the lifesaving benefits of airbags, and only take action
according to their own needs. The decision should not be based on the well-
publicized crashes where unrestrained or improperly restrained vehicle
occupants received serious or fatal injuries from airbags.
The vast majority of consumers can reduce the risk of airbag injury by
simply wearing safety belts and properly restraining children under 13 in a
rear seat.
An on/off switch has the potential to render an important safety device
and its lifesaving potential useless. While the switch does provide
flexibility, there is an additional responsibility to always remember what
position the switch is in. Unbelted occupants still risk serious injury
whether the switch is on or off.
Consumers who are eligible for an on/off switch include those with certain
medical conditions, those who sit less than ten inches from the steering
wheel, and those who routinely transport more children than there are rear
seating positions in the vehicle. Being in one of these categories does not
necessarily mean that the consumer should get an on/off switch. These
consumers may have several alternatives they can pursue before installing an
on/off switch. One alternative for drivers is just simply pushing the seat
back further to increase distance from the airbag, but at the same time being
able to continue to operate the vehicle safely.
Should I Get an Airbag On/Off Switch?
Today the federal government announced that it will allow consumers to
install an on/off switch to disconnect a driver or passenger airbag if they
fall into any of the following three categories:
1. Those who have certain medical conditions.
2. Those who sit less than ten inches from the steering wheel.
3. Those who routinely transport more children than there are rear
seating positions in the vehicle or transport children in a vehicle
having no rear seat.
Since the combination of an airbag and a safety belt reduces the risk of
serious head injury by 75 percent, consumers are urged to carefully consider
their needs prior to installing an on/off switch. The vast majority can
benefit greatly from an airbag, and can reduce any risk of airbag injury just
by buckling up on every trip and properly restraining children under 13 in a
back seat. Almost all airbag deaths have involved unrestrained or improperly
restrained occupants. Even those who may be eligible for the on/off switch
may be able to safely accommodate the airbag by going through the following
steps:
-- Discuss your medical condition with your physician and together
decide whether an airbag switch is appropriate for you.
-- To get farther away from the steering wheel, try moving the seat
farther back or adjusting the angle of the seatback. If you are in the market
for a new car, try sitting in several models or consider a power seat option
to enable you to sit most comfortably farther away from the steering wheel.
-- Children are safer in a back seat of vehicles, with or without an
airbag. Most kids who ride in the front seat don't need to be there. In
fact, in more than 70% of the cases where a child sitting in the front seat is
killed in a crash, there was a vacant rear seating position available. Ask
yourself how frequently all rear seating positions are occupied. If you are
looking for a new car, select one with enough rear seating positions to
accommodate the maximum number of kids you expect to transport.
If you still think you need an airbag switch, contact your vehicle
manufacturer to find out if disconnect switches are or will be available for
your motor vehicle. Automakers are not required to make the switches
available, nor are dealers required to install them. Due to vehicle design
and other considerations, it is possible that switches will not be available
for all vehicle makes and models.
With or without an airbag, remember always to wear safety belts and keep
kids under 13 properly restrained in a back seat.
SOURCE American Coalition for Traffic Safety, Inc.
