SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS AND CHILD RESTRAINT SEATS
NHTSA Consumer Advisory
"Side impact air bags can provide significant supplemental safety
benefits to adults in side impact crashes. However, children who are
seated in close proximity to a side air bag may be at risk of serious or
fatal injury, especially if the child's head, neck, or chest is in close
proximity to the air bag at the time of deployment. Because there are
variations in the design and performance of side air bags,
manufacturers should notify consumers regarding whether it is safe for
children to sit next to the side air bags. Children 12 and under should
always travel in the rear seat and use an age-appropriate restraint.
"Since children should be seated in the rear seat, NHTSA has asked
each manufacturer of vehicles with rear side air bags to ship the
vehicles to dealers with these air bags deactivated, unless the
manufacturer has determined that those side air bags impose no
significant risk to children. Purchasers who want such air bags
activated, after being advised of the potential risk to out-of-position
children, should be able to have them switched on by their dealer. We
are also asking manufacturers to advise current owners of vehicles
with such rear side air bags that the owners can bring them back to
their dealer to have the bags deactivated if they are likely to be
carrying children in the rear outboard seats."
A full listing of the vehicles that are delivered to dealers with their rear
side airbags deactivated is not available, but anecdotal accounts would
indicate that most vehicles so equipped are delivered with the airbags
fully operational. Fear of liability (in the event of a crash in which the
bags do not deploy and injuries result, for example) are believed to be
among the reasons for this.
Consumers are strongly encouraged to consult their vehicle
owner's manual and child restraint manufacturer's instructions for
specific guidance and recommendations.
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