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Support of Advanced Air Bag Technology Rulemaking Widespread

11 September 1998

Automakers, Insurers Support Advanced Air Bag Technology Rulemaking; Depowering Remains Crucial

    RUCKERSVILLE, Va., Sept. 10 -- The CEOs of the nation's
leading automobile insurance companies and the American automobile
manufacturers met at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Vehicle
Research Center here September 10, 1998. The following statement was released
as the result of a discussion of highway safety issues in general and advanced
air bag technology in particular.

    The nation's leading auto insurance companies and the domestic automobile
industry are committed to working together with NHTSA and all other interested
parties to promote advanced air bag safety technology. Future air bag
regulations will have significant effects on the technology and the pace of
introduction of advanced air bag systems.
    As the rules for advanced air bags are developed, it is crucial that we
retain the benefits provided by depowering of air bag inflators in 1997.  All
available evidence shows that depowering works. If NHTSA reinstates a
high-speed, unbelted barrier test, it will undo the improvements in occupant
safety that have resulted from depowering and inhibit manufacturers' ability
to maximize protection while minimizing risks to out-of-position occupants,
infants, children, and small adults.
    More must be done to improve protection for all occupants of motor
vehicles. We believe there are significant potential advantages associated
with the advanced air bag restraint systems under development to provide
improved safety performance for all occupants, while further reducing the risk
from air bag deployments to out-of-position occupants.
    It is important that all stakeholders come together during the public
comment period on the rulemaking to ensure that the intended safety advances
are achieved without unintended adverse consequences, when the final rule is
issued.