SMALL CARS WITHOUT AIRBAGS=MORE DEATHS
With the nation's energy policy seeking a 40 per cent vehicle fuel consumption reduction by 1980, a substantial increase in highway fatalities could occur, as a result of decreased protection for passengers of smaller cars. The DeLorean Corp. conducted a study sponsored by the Allstate Insurance Co. which recommended that a passive restraint standard be issued as soon as possible. The percentage of fatalities in small cars will increase if air bags are not required as passenger restraints, as opposed to lap/shoulder belt systems. The study also contradicted statements made by some automobile manufacturers' that the price of air bags would be too high if installed as standard equipment. Realization of the government's energy goals by producing lighter cars can also achieve a saving of lives, insurance company savings, and manufacturer savings. Mandator seat belt use laws alone won't bring about these benefits that will result from the use of air cushion restraints.
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Corporate Authors:
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
1005 North Glebe Road
Arlington, VA United States 22201 - Publication Date: 1975-10-10
Media Info
- Pagination: p. 1-2
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Serial:
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Status Rpt
- Volume: 10
- Issue Number: 7
- Publisher: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Air bags; Compact automobiles; Energy; Fatalities; Fuel consumption; Gross vehicle weight; Manual safety belts; Passive restraint systems; Restraint systems
- Old TRIS Terms: Passenger restraints; Passive protection devices; Small car
- Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00128205
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Dec 16 1975 12:00AM