A Safety Device for Today

In recent months, a debate has raged over the dangers that automotive air bags present to small adults and the very young. Yes, air bags have saved as many as 500 lives a year. But it’s also true that the same devices killed 62 children and adults between 1967 and 1997.

Consultations within the industry and safety organizations over what ought to be done to make air bags safer are expected to continue for some time. But much can be done now to save lives. Most of the recommendations have been developed through the ongoing Air Bag Safety Campaign, which brings together representatives of the National Safety Council, various federal agencies, law enforcement personnel and private businesses.

One simple solution is to convince drivers to move children 13 and under to the rear seats. Another is to persuade more of the nation’s drivers and passengers to make full use of a proven safety device--seat belts.

In this regard, California has gotten the message. This state leads the nation with an estimated 87% of its motorists buckling up before every excursion. As a result, says the California Highway Patrol, the death rate per miles driven in this state is continuing to decline.

To understand the value of the California habit of buckling up, consider the case of North Carolina. In 1985 fewer than 30% of its drivers and occupants were wearing safety belts and nearly 5% of the vehicular accidents in the state ended in death or serious injury. By 1996, use of safety belts in North Carolina had soared to more than 80% and fewer than 1.5% of the accidents resulted in death or serious injury.

Air bag technology will improve, but why wait? California and North Carolina are two of the nation’s best examples of what must be done in the interim. Buckle up.