Is It Safer For Families With Young Children To Have Air Bags In Their Vehicles Or Not?
Is it safer for families with young children to have air bags in their vehicles or not? This is still a debate for many. The National Highway Safety Administration says that air bags have been responsible for saving over 2,620 lives per year since November 1st, 1997. This is a substantial number that can not be over looked when compared to the small number of children and adult deaths that have been linked to air bags, yet the issue remains.
If you are dead set against air bags you can by a retrofit or off switch kit for most newer vehicles. The switch kits are available for both driver and passenger side airbags and only available at the dealer. Retrofit Kits cannot be ordered without presenting the parts person with a waiver from the National Highway Safety Administration. Before applying for the waiver you must first read an educational brochures: "Air Bags and On-Off Switches". This booklet contains a lot of facts and information about air bags that will allow you to make a completely informed decision. If after reading the brochure you still want an on-off switch you still must meet the criteria for the waiver.
To order a brochure and a waiver request form from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration call their hotline number: 1-800-424-9393.
Experts have compiled all of the facts and they are positive that in almost all circumstances motorists are much better off with air bags. This is why they won´t allow on-off switches to be sold readily over the counter. After obtaining an on-off switch kit for your vehicle you may have one more hurdle to clear.
Finding a repair facility to install the switch kit could be a problem due to liability. We firmly believe in air bags and consequently do not install the switches.
We welcome your feedback on these features. You can e-mail us at tech@astauto.com or contact us any of the old fashioned ways.
We welcome your feedback on these features.