AORC Seeks Faster Implementation of New Vehicle Safety Technology

Presents Pathfinder Award

WASHINGTON, March 15 -- The Automotive Occupant Restraints Council (AORC), at its annual membership meeting in Orlando, will hear a blue- ribbon panel of automotive experts discuss ways to accelerate the incorporation of innovative safety technology into cars and trucks.

Members of the panel, to be featured on Friday, March 17, will include Adrian Lund, President, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety; Joseph Kanianthra, Ph.D., Associate Administrator for Vehicle Safety Research, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; Michael M. Finkelstein, President, Michael Finkelstein & Associates; and Robert Strassburger, Vice President, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

Also at the meeting, the AORC presented its highest honor, the Pathfinder Award, to Charles A. Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Mr. Hurley brings nearly 30 years experience in highway safety and the war on drunk driving. Prior to joining MADD in March 2005, he served as the vice president of the Transportation Safety Group for the National Safety Council and as the executive director of the Council's Air Bag and Seat Belt Safety Campaign.

In presenting the award, Wendell C. Lane, Jr., Chairman of the AORC Board of Directors and Senior Vice President for Global Technology for Key Safety Systems, Inc., said "We are very pleased to present the Pathfinder award to Chuck Hurley for his tremendous efforts to protect the roadways and families nationwide."

Keynote speaker for the meeting is Jayne O'Donnell, Washington-based reporter for the Money Section of USA Today. Ms. O'Donnell appears often as an auto expert on radio and television shows. She has won several public service and journalism awards for her work alerting the public to auto safety hazards. Ms. O'Donnell is widely published and frequently interviewed. She has written for Automotive News and was the Washington correspondent for AutoWeek magazine for several years.

"Again at this year's annual meeting AORC members will focus on the accelerating trend toward sensing and active safety systems," said George F. Kirchoff, AORC president. "Automotive safety continues to move from crash mitigation to crash avoidance and emergency intervention systems. This trend is being driven by the development of active safety systems that are able to sense a potential crash, warn the driver, and even perform emergency maneuvers," Mr. Kirchoff said.

The AORC, founded in 1961, is a non-profit, international organization that helps establish uniform production and quality standards for vehicle safety system components. Members include manufacturers and suppliers of airbags, airbag components, seta belts, automotive seating, and interior safety components. More information on the AORC may be found at www.aorc.org.