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.