The Air Bag Safety Campaign
From Winter 1997Volume III, Number 3
Air bags have been credited with saving an estimated 1,500 lives since 1987. Air bags were designed as supplemental restraints: in conjunction with safety belts, they are effective at preventing injuries caused by frontal collisions. But at least 32 children, and 20 adults, have been killed by the force of a deploying air bag. In almost all cases, the children were riding in the front seat in a rear-facing child safety seat, not wearing a safety belt, or using only the lap strap without the shoulder strap. In most cases, the adults killed were not wearing a safety belt and were sitting closer to the steering wheel than is recommended. Properly used, air bags save lives. Improperly used, they can present a danger to vehicle occupants.
The Air Bag Safety Campaign, a program of the National Safety Council, was created to bring the "proper use" message to the public. The campaign is a coalition of more than 100 automobile manufacturers, insurance companies, government agencies, child health and safety organizations, and medical associations working to promote the proper use of safety belts and child safety seats and to protect children (and adults) from injuries associated with air bags. The campaign's executive director, Janet Dewey, reports that the number and diversity of organizations involved in the campaign are a key to its strength. "One of the campaign's goals is to work the air bag safety message into the public's consciousness through every possible avenue," she remarks. "We want people to hear a consistent message from many different sources in order to help them understand that the risk of air bags can be minimized by taking a few simple steps." These steps are summarized by the campaign's ABC message: Air bag safety. Buckle everyone. Children in back.
The Air Bag Safety Campaign uses public education, legislation, and enforcement to further its goal. Each approach is overseen by a coordinating council. The Public Education Coordinating Council works with the media and national organizations to educate the public about the proper use of child safety seats and safety belts in vehicles, particularly those that have air bags. The Legislation Coordinating Council supports state efforts to enact standard enforcement legislation that allows police to stop and ticket those who violate seat belt and child safety seat laws. The Enforcement Coordinating Council assists state efforts for high-visibility enforcement of occupant safety laws.
The campaign is proving remarkably effective at spreading its message:
To assist organizations in spreading the word about air bag safety, the campaign has developed a Communications Action Kit. This kit includes press releases and articles, safety information, camera-ready copy, talking points, and a small poster. Single copies are available free from The Air Bag Safety Campaign, c/o GMMB & A, 1010 Wisconsin Avenue N.W., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20007, phone (202) 625-2570.
A "Spring Mobilization," to be held in conjunction with Buckle Up! America Week, is being planned for May 19-26, 1997. During this event, law enforcement agencies, in conjunction with health care providers, state and local governments, and other organizations, will distribute information on air bag safety.
The Air Bag Safety Campaign encourages organizations and agencies to participate in its work. For more information, contact Janet Dewey, Executive Director, The Air Bag Safety Campaign, 1019 19th Street, N.W., Suite 401, Washington DC 20036-5101, phone (202) 293-2270 x492, fax (202) 822-1399. Information is also available on the World Wide Web at [www.nsc.org/airbag.htm].
Adapted from The Air Bag Safety Campaign's "Air Bag Safety Tips."
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Revised: January 7, 1997
