---

Automotive Occupant Restraints Council Lauds Proposed Air Bag Rule

4 November 1999

Automotive Occupant Restraints Council Lauds Proposed Air Bag Rule

    WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 -- The Automotive Occupant Restraints
Council (AORC) today hailed the latest move by the federal government to
proceed with the rulemaking process that is expected to improve vehicle air
bag safety.
    AORC President George Kirchoff said, "We are extremely pleased that the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued its supplemental notice
of proposed rulemaking.  The notice presents options that are reasonable and
addresses many of the issues of great importance to the restraints industry."
Those issues, according to Kirchoff, include unbelted barrier testing and
standards for child passenger safety.
    Kirchoff said, "Suppliers are working with their customers so that once
regulations and requirements are developed, they can advance the state of the
art and automotive safety.  However, there are no technologies available today
that eliminate all risk."
    AORC is a nonprofit international organization representing manufacturers
and suppliers of automotive air bags, seat belts, seating and their
components.
    Although the government's final rules have yet to be finalized, Kirchoff
said AORC member companies have spent several years developing the next
generation of safety devices.  Some of the technologies are in current model
cars and others are ready for evaluation by the motor vehicle manufacturers.
He continued, that the industry supports the phase in approach of improvements
in restraint technology.
    According to the NHTSA's notice, advanced occupant restraints will be
required on some new passenger cars and light trucks beginning Sept. 1, 2002
and in all passengers cars and light trucks beginning Sept. 1, 2005.
    Kirchoff defined advanced technology restraints as sophisticated systems
that monitor and analyze such factors as the severity of a motor vehicle
crash, and precrash circumstances of both the vehicle and its occupants.  With
those data, advanced systems will tailor the performance of the restraint
devices to reduce serious injuries and fatalities.  He added that advanced
systems, "in no way replace properly secured seat belts," and cautioned that
"children 12 years of age and younger should ride in the rear seat whenever
possible."