It's official: consumers who gain approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have the power to flick the air-bag on/off switch. According to NHTSA, 5,000 applicants received the OK. There are several factors worth considering prior to making such a decision. According to NHTSA, 87 air-bag deaths have occurred since 1991. Of those deaths, 65 individuals were not restrained or were improperly restrained by seat belts.

In 1996, 41,907 people were killed in crashes and 3.5 million were injured. An estimated 2,620 lives were saved due to air-bag usage. Since the late 1980s to Nov. 1, 1997, 1.8 million air bags have deployed. The number of vehicles with air bags continues to increase, reaching 46.6 million cars and 20.5 million light trucks.

As previously mentioned, seat belts play a vital role in traffic safety. From estimates based on state surveys, 68 percent of U.S. vehicle occupants use a seat belt, reaping the benefits of 4,194 lives saved and 102,518 injuries prevented. The Buckle Up America Campaign has set a goal of 85 percent seat-belt usage by the year 2000.

Consumers interested in learning more about the air-bag on/off switch should contact NHTSA (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/airbags/) for detailed information and procedures.

Fun Fact:
Who's the safest driver? According to Wirthlin Worldwide for the Steel Alliance, 57 percent of men say "men" are safer, while the other 31 percent cite "women." 67 percent of women say "women" are safer; 27 percent say "men."

Stat Corner is written by Denise Caspersen, ASA's research management specialist. She can be reached at (800) 272-7467, ext. 236.

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