Air Bag On-Off Switches

Web site
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/airbags/
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began publishing a list on its web page in order to help consumers find a professional to install an air bag on-off switch. The businesses listed on the web page are NOT the only ones that will do the installations, but the only ones the NHTSA knows of that have already made such an installation. If you would be willing to install switches and would like your name added to the web site, please contact NHTSA at counsel@nhtsa.dot.gov.

Liability concerns
The NHTSA believes some businesses are unwilling to install air bag on-off switches because of liability concerns, but says that concern is unfounded. "Since 1995, NHTSA has allowed air bag on-off switches to be placed in pick-up trucks, sports cars, or other vehicles with either no back seat or a back seat which is too small to accomodate a rear-facing infant restraint. Currently, there are over 3.2 million such vehicles with air bag switches installed as original equipment. NHTSA is not aware of a single lawsuit or claim made against any manufacturer, dealer, or business with respect to any matter involving such a switch."

  • Before a switch in installed, applicants must certify that they've read an information brochure detailing the risks associated with a deactivated air bag.
  • Applicants must also certify they understand that the switch installer may require them to sign a waiver that releases the business from liability.
  • Switches are required to have a light that warns when the air bag is turned off.

    Facts and Figures
    Lives saved by airbags (as of 2/1/98)

  • drivers 2,474
  • passengers 370
  • total 2,844

    Deaths due to airbags

  • children in rear-facing child seats 12
  • children not in rear-facing child seats 39 (3 restrained, but not properly)
  • adult drivers 36 (11 properly restrained)
  • adult passengers 4 (1 restrained)
  • total 91

  • 38% of cars on the road are equipped with air bags
  • 29% of light trucks on the road are equipped with air bags
  • 2.1 million air bags deployed between the late 1980's and Feb. 1998.
    (Source: NHTSA)

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