Jack's Dad

I did the same thing that jschimit when I bought the car. If I remember correctly, according to the DOT data, all of the airbag fatalities were kids who were not belted in and most of them were in Dodge Caravans. When I take my 5 year old son around, the seat is all the way back (the 18" number is correct) and I use a booster seat with a 5 point harness.

 

I consider the S2K to be a very safe vehicle if driven with skill and without agression (the second is tougher for me than the first). If safety were paramount I would also swap the tires for all-season (M+S), oh the horror, and maybe make the kids wear full-face helmets. No kidding, most auto fatalities are head injuries.

 

Thanks for the great insights everyone. Really appreciate it. Doesn't appear that there is a simple, straightforward answer here. In a low speed impact, dangers from the airbag might outweigh potential benefits. Perhaps just the opposite in a high speed collision.

Clutchcargo, you're dead on - lots of great sportcar roads in Sherborn. Drove the S 2000 at Clair, as I was able to test the Boxster there as well. Have purchased from both Bernardi and Clair in the past; both good dealerships.

 

I disagree with that statement, and I'm close to taking offense. I have a daughter that's 5 that rides occasionally, and the last thing in the world I'd want to do is "abuse" her, and I DONT HAVE A CUTOFF SWITCH. You usually are very thoughtful in your replys, but you slipped on this one. My daughter is always belted, which puts her no where near where the bag will be IF we have an accident, and she sits all the way back and the seat is back as well, and she does as I say or she doesn't ride. I don't want an airbag cutoff switch because the bag can still provide protection if the front is crushed forward enough, the only danger inherent in airbags is if the BAG HITS THE OCCUPANT, not from the OCCUPANT HITTING THE BAG. I'd strongly suggest revising your statement Barry.

Andrew

 

Off Topic, but: The most important lesson I've learned is: DON'T BUY A DODGE ANYTHING!!! My S2K is the sixth Honda I've owned...

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jschmidt
[B]About two years ago, I spent hours studying the NHTSA website to determine risks to my child from my Z28's first gen airbag. I learned four things:

1. Keep the seat all the way back (Airbags only extend out about 18").
2. Keep the kid sitting in the seat (ibid).
3. Don't let your kid be unbelted (duh).
4. Here's the most important thing I learned: Don't buy a Dodge Caravan!

If the switch gives you peace of mind, by all means buy it. At the time I studied it though, it didn't seem like the statistical and demographic data justified the hype, worry and press this issue received. Further, with the Z, the kid was better protected (by the door impact beam and interior space) by being in the front than in the back.

 

Another lesson: Watch what you say to people who have kids... I've learned this the hard way...

 

As the progenitor (cool word, huh?) of one of the other passenger airbag switch threads

 

Spa... consider using the "ratcheting" feature in the passenger belt system. Buckle up, pull all of the webbing out of the shoulder retractor, then feed it back in, the belt is now locked and will not spool back out. As an extra measure, tug the lap portion tight, and feed the slack into the shoulder section and into the retractor. This is described in detail in the owner's manual.

For those still struggling with allowing little ones on board...we need to understand that auto manufacturers must cover their butts; they realize that most motorists will not consistiently follow specific instructions for properly restraining their children. Therefore "just put them in the back" is clear and simple for all to understand. According to the statistics, if parents of the deceased children had PROPERLY RESTRAINED them, we wouldn't be having this talk.







[Edited by Allan Haggai on 05-22-2001 at 05:54 AM]