Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!cca!ima!inmet!stuart
From: stuart@inmet.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: FOR airbags and gov't control - (nf)
Message-ID: <142@inmet.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 1-Jul-83 05:42:57 EDT
Article-I.D.: inmet.142
Posted: Fri Jul  1 05:42:57 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 8-Jul-83 13:46:06 EDT
Lines: 46

#N:inmet:3900017:000:2010
inmet!stuart    Jun 30 10:07:00 1983



In response to Laura's note:
     "Now correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that airbags 
     are less effective than seatbelts in stopping me from 
     being killed if I am in a car crash."

Yes, you are wrong!  Quoting from the April 1980 
*Consumer Reports* (p. 226)
     "Air bags would provide the greater measure of safety in
      frontal crashes, which are the most frequent.  Because
      air bags spread the force of a crash over a large area
      of the body, they can offer much more protection than
      belts during high-speed crashes.  They also eliminate
      the abdominal and neck injuries that can occur with belts"

I don't understand why so many paranoid, misinformed people are 
flaming against air bags.  (Something about govt control??)
First, who said that the seat belts will all be removed when 
airbags are put in?  Secondly, the Reagan administration and 
American Auto industry haven't even had a chance to torpedo 
them.

Some of the arguments against airbags sound like the argument
I've heard used against seatbelts.  "I know someone who woulda 
been killed if he was wearing a belt.  Woulda been trapped in 
the car and been killed."  

Isn't it a matter of probabilities and taking the route of least
risk.  Seat belts might be more effective at lower speeds, but
at high speeds in life threatening situations, air bags are
more effective.

Yes, Laura, one of the roles of government is to protect stupid people 
from the consequences of their own stupidity.  Especially when we all 
pay in higher insurance premiums.   I think I'm a good driver, like
all the readers of the net, however, I am not stupid enough to think
that I will never be in an accident and never be at fault.
We all make mistakes sometimes.  I just hope that the occupants of
the involved cars are properly restrained.  I don't want to be 
responsible for an injury, or even a death, especially if it could 
have been avoided by wearing a seatbelt or by a passive restraint
such as an airbag.