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Air Bag Options Proposed Safety Officials Eventually Hope To Require ‘Smart’ Air Bags

Chicago Tribune

To calm public anxiety over air bag-related deaths, federal safety officials on Friday proposed allowing motorists to disconnect the devices and decreasing the power of the bags as they inflate.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration still insists air bags are effective, but officials acknowledged legitimate safety concerns involving small children and some adults, most often shorter women.

Though air bags have been credited with saving more than 1,500 lives since they were introduced 10 years ago, 50 people have been killed when air bags - deployed at speeds up to 200 m.p.h. - exploded in low-speed crashes they otherwise likely would have survived.

“Here’s the bottom line: Everyone agrees that air bags enhance safety but must be improved,” said Dr. Ricardo Martinez, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “And that’s exactly what we’re doing.”

Ultimately, the safety administration is working toward mandating the installation of “smart” air bags, which would sense the impact of the crash and the size and position of the seat occupant, and deploy accordingly.

Research is under way on such devices, and the safety administration hopes to accelerate efforts to install the technology in 1999 model automobiles.

Until then, however, the agency likely will make sure the public is informed of possible risks and allow more freedom in choosing whether to use the air bags.

Those plans include:

Minimizing the explosive power of the safety devices by 20 percent to 35 percent.

Allowing owners to deactivate their air bags. Automobile dealers would be asked to discuss air bags with customers and supply written materials to aid in reassuring them about benefits, but the consumer could then choose to have the system deactivated. Currently, it is illegal for garages and dealerships to disconnect air bags. The agency hopes to have the new policy in force by the end of the year, following a 30-day period for public comment.