Industry, Governments to Discuss Air Bags

Auto makers, air bag suppliers and government officials will meet in Canada today to try to reach a consensus on the best way to produce air bags that deploy less forcefully. Air bags deploying at up to 200 mph have been blamed for at least 49 deaths--19 adults and 30 children, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Also high on the agenda: when so-called smart air bag technology that would “sense” a passenger’s position and adjust the air bag accordingly can be installed into vehicles. Participants in the industry-sponsored conference include those from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the American Automobile Manufacturers Assn., the Assn. of International Automobile Manufacturers, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Canadian government’s equivalent, the National Transportation Safety Board, and engineers or technicians from auto companies and air bag makers.