Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site mtx5a.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!houxm!whuxl!whuxlm!akgua!akguc!mtunh!mtung!mtx5c!mtx5d!mtx5a!mat
From: mat@mtx5a.UUCP (m.terribile)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Re: airbags *LONG RESPONSE*
Message-ID: <1176@mtx5a.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 8-Jan-86 20:50:32 EST
Article-I.D.: mtx5a.1176
Posted: Wed Jan  8 20:50:32 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 11-Jan-86 02:45:20 EST
References: <493@imsvax.UUCP> <474@eneevax.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Information Systems, Middletown, NJ 07748-4801.
Lines: 45

> >3.  In view of the first two questions, and noting that the average American
> >driver isn't terribly good even WITHOUT being pinned into his seat and
> >blinded, is there any particular reason to to think he would function
> >better or even as well when he was?
> >
> I don't know if they ever showed you films of operating airbags, but
> a) they don't pin you to your seat.  It's only a thin balloon which deflates
> almost instantly.  b) the propellant is smokeless.  Among the first things
> the NHTSA did was to address the complaints of those who felt that airbags
> take control away from the driver, by running blind studies on random subjects.
> The drivers were not told if their vehicles' air bags would inflate, nor
> when.  And it showed conclusively that even random detonations did not cause
> the test drivers to lose control.  Don't think you beat Detroit to complaining
> about `loss of control'.  They've been whining for years.
> 
> I still don't understand why you people are so vehemently opposed to airbags.
> Maybe they didn't show you films about them back when you took Driver's Ed.
> But then again, I still don't understand why some other people are opposed
> to seatbelts.  If nothing else, sooner or later natural selection will take
> its course.
> Today, I'm comfortable enough about airbag technology to not want to
> disable one in my car.  Some day, there may be that S-curve that I don't
> make.  And when I don't, I want as much in front of me as possible.
> 
> -dave

	If, in fact, the bag does not force your arms from the wheel,
then I'm in favor of them SO LONG AS YOU HAVE THE THREE-POINT HARNESS
HOWEVER my understanding is that the three-pointer will be replaced by a
lap belt in the airrbag equipped cars.

	Actually, the best thing that they could do is go to a harness
that buckles in the middle rather than on the side where only a thin
person can get both hands.  How about putting the retractor ON THE SEAT
or between the two seats ... let it sit up high so it won't slip down, and
have the (2) buckles lock into place on the post.  This would have the
advantage that two or more attatchments could be provided on the post
for people who were short/tall/have the belt across their windpipes.
-- 

	from Mole End			Mark Terribile
		(scrape .. dig )	mtx5b!mat
					(Please mail to mtx5b!mat, NOT mtx5a!
						mat, or to mtx5a!mtx5b!mat)
    ,..      .,,       ,,,   ..,***_*.