Press Release

Auto Occupant Restraint Council Responds to NHTSA Air Bag Plan

11/26/96

Statement From the Automotive Occupant Restraints Council

LEXINGTON, Ky., Nov. 22 -- The following is a statement
from the Automotive Occupant Restraints Council:

The Automotive Occupant Restraints Council (AORC) supports the
depowering of air bags as a technology that can be done relatively
quickly and is directionally correct in reducing the inflation forces
contributing injuries to unbelted or out-of-position infants, older
children and adults.

However, there is need to strongly convey to the public that:

  
 This will not totally eliminate such injuries and fatalities;
  
 This is a "best compromise" to take a positive action quickly, and
  
 We must treat this action as an interim step while we all work
together to implement longer-range solutions -- smart restraint
systems.


The Council opposes any public policy that would allow indiscriminate
disconnecting of air bag systems. Such a policy would send the wrong
signal to motorists and the actual disconnecting of air bags would be
unwise as it would place motor vehicle occupants in jeopardy.

We urge states to enact primary safety belt use laws.  States having
primary laws enjoy belt use rates considerably higher than those with
secondary laws.  Currently 12 states have primary belt use
laws. Further, the Council supports efforts at the state level to
allow assessment of points against driver licenses for failure to obey
state belt use laws.

The Council is a supporting member of the national Air Bag Safety
Campaign and fully endorses its mission, "Air bag safety means: Buckle
everyone! Children in Back!"  Increasing proper safety belt and child
safety seat use nationwide are the surest ways to reduce traffic
fatalities and injuries. We must not waver on the solutions that
benefit all motor vehicle occupants.

The Automotive Occupant Restraints Council is a nonprofit organization
representing the manufacturers and suppliers of air bags, safety belts
and their components.

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 National Auto Dealers Association's Response to the new NHTSA plan.