Government announces rules for airbag switches
November 18, 1997
Web posted at: 11:56 a.m. EST (1656 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Emphasizing that safety is the government's top priority, the Transportation Department announced new guidelines Tuesday allowing some car owners to install air bag shutoff switches in their cars.
But only people in a few high-risk categories will be granted permission to have the switches installed. Transportation officials said that most of the deaths linked to air bag deployment could have been avoided if more Americans would buckle up.
Calling the new rules a "practical solution" to the air bag debate, Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater said that his department made its judgment "in the public's interest."
He said it is up to the public to be informed, to read the air bag safety brochures the National Highway Transportation Safety Association has published and to know the risks of turning the safety devices off.
"We have made an informed decision," Slater said. "Now it is time for the public to make theirs."

Air bag modifications under way
Airbags have saved an estimated 2,600 lives. Sometimes, however, they can be deadly. More than 80 children and adults have died from the force of deploying air bags.
Acknowledging public outcry over the deaths, the government has already tried to lessen air bag dangers by giving automakers permission to make the bags deploy up to 35 percent less forcefully.
"Smart" air bags are in development and could be on the market within the next several years. They would be designed to modify the speed of deployment in an accident according to the car's speed, the angle of impact and the occupant's size.

Who qualifies for the cutoff switch
Washington-based auto safety advocates and government officials say car owners will likely qualify to have airbag switches installed if they fall into one or more of the following categories:

If they must put children in every seat because they have a large family or participate in a carpool. Officials recommend that all children under age 13 sit in the back seat, but recognize that it isn't always possible.

If they are too small to sit a safe distance from the air bag and still reach the brake and gas pedals. Agency officials recommend that people sit at least 10 inches away from the airbag module. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Ricardo Martinez said even a 4'8" woman can usually find a way to move back to a safe distance.

If they must put a rear-facing infant seat in the front seat because the car has no back seat.

If an adult or child in the family has a medical problem that could be aggravated by the air bag's deployment, or if a child in the family has a medical problem that must be closely monitored.