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Depowering Crucial to Development of Advanced Air Bag Technology

15 September 1998

Depowering Crucial to Development of Advanced Air Bag Technology

    WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 -- The following statement was released
by the American Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA) in response to the
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on advanced air bag technology issued by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today. The
rulemaking, mandated by Congress earlier this year, is expected to be among
the most complex ever undertaken by the agency.

    AAMA and its member companies -- Chrysler, Ford and General Motors --
support the rulemaking undertaken by NHTSA to clear the way for a systematic
and prompt introduction of advanced air bag technology into the safety systems
of cars and light trucks sold in America.
    The development of advanced air bag technology has not waited for new
regulations. More than two years ago, America's Car Companies petitioned for
many of the requirements now being proposed by the agency. "Chrysler, Ford,
and General Motors are already working toward introduction of advanced air bag
technology, which will be available in vehicles even before it is required by
government," said Andrew H. Card, Jr., AAMA President & CEO.
    As the rules for advanced air bags are developed, it is crucial that we
retain the benefits provided by the depowering of air bags in 1997. All
available evidence shows that depowering works. Injuries and fatalities to
children, small-statured adults, and other out-of-position occupants are
reduced with depowering, while the protections provided by air bags remain
intact.
    Reinstatement of the old 30 mile-per-hour, unbelted dummy, fixed-barrier
crash test will undo the improvements in occupant safety that resulted from
depowering. "The world's automakers, the Insurance Institute for Highway
Safety, and the Automotive Occupant Restraints Council, which represents air
bag suppliers, all agree that depowering must be continued, unless there are
data to prove it is not resulting in safety benefits," Card said.
    To assist government in monitoring the effects of depowered air bags,
industry is voluntarily funding several accident data collection programs.
Real-world data is expected to confirm that depowering saves the lives of
children while retaining safety benefits for adults. NHTSA must leave
depowering in place.
    Thoughtful, data-driven rulemaking by NHTSA is vital to the continued
improvement in occupant safety that is being provided as advanced air bags
work their way into the marketplace.
    "Parents and drivers will always have an important role to play in the
safety of the occupants of their vehicles, regardless of advances in air bag
technology," said AAMA President & CEO Card. "Children 12 and under are always
safer in the back seat. And everyone should be properly belted every time they
get into a vehicle."

    AAMA is the trade association whose members are Chrysler Corporation, Ford
Motor Company, and General Motors Corporation. The AAMA site on the World Wide
Web can be reached at http://www.aama.com.