NHTSA Will Review Big Three Air Bag Proposal

08/27/96

The Associated Press has reported that Government safety regulators have said they would review a proposal forwarded by the Big Three automakers through the American Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA). The carmakers want to change testing procedures for airbags to allow them to install air bags that open with less force. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will review the proposal for the impact changes would have on car occupants.

NHTSA statistics show that twenty-four children and 19 adults have been killed by deploying air bags since 1990. "Our No. 1 goal is to prevent child fatalities caused by air bags," said NHTSA spokesman Barry McCahill. "We welcome the petition and will be looking at it closely for quantifiable evidence of how many child fatalities it would prevent, as well as its consequences for adult occupants."

NHTSA has repeatedly said air bags are an important auto safety feature, saving more than 1,500 lives. The agency also says they can be dangerous for children who do not wear seat belts, are in rear-facing infant seats or are close to the dashboard when the bag deploys.

The carmaker's proposal counters an NHTSA proposal issued several weeks ago. The NHTSA proposed large, colorful warning labels and passenger-side cutoff switches for air bags.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel