Press Release
National Automobile Dealers Association Responds to New NHTSA Air Bag Plan
11/26/96
New-Car Dealers Join National Effort to Improve Vehicle Air Bag Safety WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The National Automobile Dealers Association today announced its support of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's comprehensive approach to maximize the life-saving capabilities of air bags while minimizing potential risks. NADA is committed to providing franchised new-car dealers with the information they need to educate their customers about the proper use, benefits and dangers of air bags. NADA supports NHTSA's short- and long-term initiatives to address air bag safety concerns, including "smart" air bags, warning labels, depowered air bags, cutoff switches and a public education campaign. NHTSA also is reviewing a current federal law that prohibits franchised new-car dealers and other auto service providers from disabling air bags and other safety devices. "NADA will work with NHTSA on this proposal to address concerns about an indiscriminate disconnect policy that would put motorists at risk," said Frank E. McCarthy, executive vice president of NADA. "New-car dealers believe air bags are an important safety feature for passengers and that, with proper education, the majority of motorists will not opt to have air bags disabled." NADA believes that the benefits of air bags far outweigh the risks in all but a few very narrow circumstances, and that motorist education is essential to proper air bag use. NADA has distributed the following safety points to its dealer members to make sure motorists are taking full advantage of the benefits of air bags while protecting themselves from possible injury.
- Under no circumstances should you place a child safety seat in front of an air bag. There is an extremely high risk of severe injury or fatality in this situation. Child safety seats should always be placed in the rear seat. All children 12 years old and under should ride in the vehicle's rear seat with seat belt fastened.
- All vehicle passengers should wear their safety belts at all times. This is your primary defense against injury in case of an accident. Air bags were designed to protect passengers who are wearing seat belts. All front seat passengers should move their seats back as far as possible. Tilt the seat back slightly with as little slack in the seat belt as possible to minimize forward movement in a crash.
- Sit as far away from the air bag as possible to prevent injury if the air bag deploys. Drivers 5'2" and under should move the driver's seat back to allow 10 to 12 inches between the driver's chest and the steering wheel and the seat back should be tilted back slightly. Drivers should hold the steering wheel at the sides, at the three o'clock and nine o'clock positions so that arms aren't between the driver and the air bag.
- Small drivers may want to look into pedal blocks or extenders to facilitate proper driving position. NHTSA has not analyzed the ease of use or safety effectiveness of these devices. More information on pedal blocks or extenders is available from the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association at 1-800-833-0427.
Read the NHTSA's description of its new plan.
Read the Big Three U.S. carmakers' responses to the new NHTSA air bag plan.
Read the Automotive Occupant Restraint Council's Response to the NHTSA plan.
