Auto Insurance: [ Quotes | Coverage Analyzer | Savings Quiz | Glossary ]The Airbag Controversy - Should You Install An On/Off Switch? Auto Insurance A simple on/off switch that will allow you to deactivate air bags can now be installed in your car. But the simplicity of the hardware is the only uncomplicated part of the air bag safety issue. Air bags have been installed in 50 million vehicles over the past nine years and have been deployed an estimated 1,800,000 times according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA). Air bags were developed to reduce the injuries and deaths that occur in automobile collisions by quickly deploying a cushioning bag of air in front of a person in a vehicle that has become involved in an accident. The NHSTA has estimated that while there are nearly 42,000 people killed in automobile accidents every year, air bags have saved an additional 2,620 people from fatal injuries. The NHSTA came up with that last figure by comparing the frequency of fatalities in vehicles with and without airbags. Along with the positive data about air bags came some rather disturbing information: some people were being killed by the very devices that were supposed to be keeping them alive. Manufacturer installed airbags deploy at speeds of up to 200 miles an hour, and people sitting too close to an air bag when it deploys can suffer traumatic injuries. The NHSTA estimates that airbags have killed 87 people, including 49 children, since 1990. Children and small adults are at the greatest risk of sitting too close to a deploying air bag. In addition to the already mandatory driver side air bags, the devices became mandatory for the passenger side in 1998. Because the statistics made it obvious that air bags were a far from perfect traffic safety solution, the Clinton Administration and Congress began working on new solutions. New Government Regulations In response to the public outcry over airbag-caused deaths, federal regulators in March of 1997 allowed automakers to install airbags that were 20 to 35 percent less powerful. In early November of 1997, the Clinton administration and Congress set a timetable for requiring advanced airbag technology to better protect all occupants from the potentially deadly force of a deploying air bag. The timetable requires the Transportation Department to issue a proposed standard in mid-1998 for more sophisticated air bag testing that would lead to the development of more advanced air bags. This new standard would then be phased in starting with the model year 2001 and ending with the model year 2005. "We want to continue to experience the benefits of air bags but minimize the injury and deaths they will cause," Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater told the Associated Press about the new timetable. "We believe this agreement will help us do that." What the government wants developed are so-called "smart" or "advanced" airbags that would be able to adjust deployment based on crash severity, occupant size and position or seat belt use. While these initiatives should reduce or eliminate air bag safety problems in the future, the problem with current air bag systems remained. On Nov. 18, 1997, the Clinton administration, the auto industry and government officials announced new rules that would allow certain motorists to have on/off switches installed for the airbags in their cars. In unveiling the new rules, the Clinton administration warned that most motorists should not disable the air bags because "it is your lifeline in a crash." Eligibility For On/Off Switches So who should consider having their air bag switched off? Under the new regulations, here are the categories of motorists and passengers who would be eligible for an air bag deactivating switch: Persons with a medical condition which, according to their physician causes the driver air bag to pose a special risk for the driver and makes the potential harm from the driver air bag greater than the harm from turning off the air bag Short drivers who are not able to maintain a 10-inch distance from the center of his or her breastbone to the center of the driver air bag cover An infant (less than one year old) who must ride in the front seat because the vehicle has no rear seat or the rear seat is too small to accommodate a rear facing seat or the infant has a medical condition which, according to the infant's physician, makes it necessary for the infant to ride in the front seat so the driver can constantly monitor the child's condition Children ages 1-12 who must ride in the front seat because the vehicle has no rear seat or there is no space available in the rear seats or the child has a medical condition which, according to the child's physician, makes it necessary for the child to ride in the front seat so that the driver can constantly monitor the child's condition A passenger with a medical condition which, according to his or her physician, causes the passenger air bag to pose a special risk for the passenger and makes the potential harm from the passenger air bag in a crash greater than the potential harm from turning off the air bag and allowing the passenger, even if belted, to hit the dashboard or windshield in a crash Persons wishing to obtain an on/off switch need to follow this four-step process outlined by the NHTSA: Obtain and read the NHTSA information brochure "Air Bags & On/Off Switches, Information for an Informed Decision," and a request form. Both are available at vehicle dealerships, repair shops, motor vehicle offices and the NHTSA website. Fill out the request form and send it to NHTSA. Vehicle owners must certify that they have read the brochure and that they, or someone they transport in their vehicle, are in one of the four groups of people at risk NHTSA will send an approval letter to the vehicle owner Take the approval letter to a vehicle dealership or other service outlet to have an on/off switch installed. The switch that is installed will only be able to deactivate the air bag(s) that affects the person in the risk group. The service outlet will inform NHTSA when the work is done With the process in place, the government began issuing brochures and request forms in December. Government officials reported that very few people were signing up to get the cutoff switches. The American Automobile Association reported in early January that only 5,000 motorists had obtained the permission forms. "Not a lot of people have inquired and very few are sending applications," NHTSA spokesman Bill Combs told the Associated Press. "We've been pleasantly surprised at the measured and calm response from the public. Very few people actually need on/off switches," added NHTSA spokesman Tim Hurd. Reluctant Repair Shops But for those who have decided that they do need the switch in their vehicle, there is another problem. Motorists were supposed to be able to have the switches installed starting on Jan. 19, but many auto repair shops are refusing to do the work. A survey of 700 shops across the nation by the American Automobile Association found that nearly two-thirds of them are refusing to install the switches for motorists who request them. In the association's informal survey of new car dealerships and other repair shops in 29 s, only 16 percent said they would install the cutoff switches for motorists with the required authorization papers from the government. Another 62 percent of the shops said they would not install the switches and the remaining 22 percent said they are waiting for additional information from legal advisors or vehicle manufacturers. Mark Edwards, managing director of traffic safety for AAA, told the Associated Press that repair shops were worried they would be sued if someone was killed or injured because an airbag was turned off. The shops cannot be compelled to install the equipment, so motorists must find a business willing to do the work. One Minneapolis woman interviewed by the AAA said she had tried 15 dealerships and none would install the cutoff equipment. If a motorist can find a business willing to do the work, the AAA says it will cost about $240 and will take two hours. Each switch comes with a dashboard light to remind the motorist when the air bag is turned off. One thing everyone agrees on is safety is the utmost concern for all motorists. While installing an on/off switch can eliminate some problems while we wait for safer airbags to be developed, another option is to do everything possible to move persons who could be injured or killed by airbags away from the devices. Every effort should be made to keep children and small adults out of the front seats of automobiles. It is crucial that motorist make informed decisions on this issue. There is lots of information on the internet about airbags. In addition to the NHTSA site, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has information about the on/off switches. In addition, there are many other companies and organizations offering airbag information and services on the Internet. Typing in "air bag safety" into any Internet search engine will deliver a long list of potential resources. Auto Insurance: [ Quotes | Coverage Analyzer | Savings Quiz | Glossary ]
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