Miata Mailing List: September 1996, Message #0018
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From: Jason Powell
At 01:04 PM 8/30/96 -0400, Dan Scolnick wrote: >HELLO! > > >Professor Jason, > Although it sounds good, I don't have that PhD thingy...yet! > Before you go around calling people idiots, perhaps you might >consider chilling out just a bit. First off, let me apologize for the idiot remark. I didn't even know who it was directed at...apparently that'd be you from your response back. It was out of character and I'm sorry. >My claims are factual and I won't >reiterate them. AIRBAGS may help in specific kinds of accidents, but they >are, at best a compromise. They do cause injury at times (personal >experience), and they do deploy inappropriately (personal experience). This >is well documented and there are cases and studies looking at this right >now. Where's this data at? There's also loads of well documented data proving that aliens are here on earth, but I don't buy that either :] You say personal experience...please explain what you first hand observed. A few weird cases where this happens is not cause for alarm. Another thought...why is Volvo installing side-impact airbags in it's cars now? If airbags are BAD, it doesn't jive with Volvo's Safety is #1 theme? >What you interpret as arguing against airbags is merely the case for >having C H O I C E of when to activate them or not (or perhaps have them as >an option or not). Airbags are effective in a very limited number of >accidents (head-on's). They are completely ineffective and may cause >additional injuries in the event of rollovers, side impacts, rear-endings >and multiple impacts. Oh boy...and when you forget to turn the activation back on and it doesn't save your loved one then what? Of course airbags are not as effective in some other collisions because they imediately deflate! I doubt you'll ever touch the airbag if rear-ended...in a side impact it WILL help...in multiple impacts it's deflated after the first collision...same for rollovers. So the additional injuries statement I disagree with. An airbag is hooked to an accelerometer that continuously measures acceleration. I don't know if it measures both side and lateral accelerations, but it takes a substantial acceleration to cause the bag to inflate. In the spring issue of Miata Magazine, John Beil gives his story of being hit head-on and from the side by 2 large trucks as well as spining around and smacking the side concrete barriers 3 times. He walked away unscathed. Airbag did give him a temporary ringing in his ear, but significantly helped to save his life. > I don't need you causing me personal injury in an attempt to save me >from myself and other idiots on the road. I see no rational reason why I >shouldn't be able to place a car seat in the passenger seat of miata. THE >PRESENCE OF AN UN-DEACTIVATABLE AIRBAG MAKES MY MIATA UNSUITABLE for >something I want to use it for. THE PRESENCE OF THE AIRBAG IS THE ONLY >REASON therefore it makes my car dangerous for children in car seats. I >don't think this is reasonable, do you? > Hmm, in a 2 seater this is a valid remark. I don't have any little kids so it's never crossed my mind. Babies just ride in our other cars. I want to know how far the passenger airbag extends outward. It may be that If you place the seat all the way back that the bag will not extend far enough to collide with the baby car seat. I have no data on this so it's merely a thought. Anyone know where I can get this data? Don't know what to tell ya Dan...I see your dilema...I'm searching for more data on this ********************* Jason Powell Red 96 Pop w/AC...FIZZX 1 Physics Dept ZionBenton HS Kenosha, WI "...the truth the symbol of a dove, will unmask the maker of your plans..." King'sX - Out of the Silent Planet \014 ==============================================================================