Government to unveil rules for air bag cutoff switches

November 18, 1997
Web posted at: 9:28 a.m. EST (1428 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Nearly a year after President Clinton said any motorist who wished to would be able to deactivate an air bag, the U.S. government is allowing only people in higher-risk categories to disable the safety devices.

Air bags 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 bags that 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.

But under the new rules, to be announced Tuesday by the Transportation Department, certain motorists could also install on/off switches for the air bags in their vehicles. Washington-based auto safety advocates and government officials say they expect car owners would qualify 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 air bag module.

• 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.

People who want the cutoff switches installed must seek permission from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Motorists who fail to fill out the paperwork honestly could be prosecuted for perjury.

The administration had initially proposed allowing drivers to disconnect their air bags permanently if they felt unsafe but backed away from that idea after automakers and safety groups protested.

However, the government would continue to allow for the disconnection of an air bag by a mechanic, as it does now in select cases. That option is subject to stricter requirements and would not be available to carpooling adults.

Safety experts said they were pleased that on/off switch installation will be limited.

"It's going to be if you have a certain category of risk. I think that's extremely important, because most people are not at risk from air bags," said Joan Claybrook, president of the consumer group Public Citizen. "And if the agency just issued a general, 'anyone can get an on/off switch,' everyone would think they have to have it."

The switches are expected to cost between $150 and $200. Certified mechanics or car dealerships will perform the work.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Related sites:

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• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
  • Airbag safety
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  • Air Bag information
• Additional "Wheels" links

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