Real world results of auto safety technology may be very different from what was predicted through preliminary studies, safety and actuarial experts said at the Casualty Actuarial Society Spring Meeting. But while airbags have reduced fatalities overall, the technology is not without problems, which have received considerable play in the press, he added. Sixty-five fatalities have been attributed to airbag deployment, many at collision speeds of less than 16 mph, he said. Because passenger airbags can pose a significant risk to children in the right front seat, Lund said children are safest if they are belted in the back seat.
Automakers can also raise the deployment threshold with depowered airbags.
Because two-thirds of the fatalities attributed to airbags occurred in deployments at below 16 mph, Lund said raising the deployment threshold will make airbags safer, particularly for children, short adults, people who sit close to the steering wheel and unbelted occupants. Dr. John Werner, assistant director of research, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., stated that the causes of vehicle crashes are rooted in complex interaction between the driver, vehicle and traffic environment. Looking ahead, there is great opportunity in savings potential to prevent child injuries. Werner said State Farm and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have formed a research team to conduct the first comprehensive investigation of how and why children are killed or injured in auto crashes. In-depth studies will be made of movement of children in the vehicle during impact correlated with the presence or absence, use or misuse of restraint systems.