XN000022-1996-11-27 — Page 29

Reply:

(a)

(b)

(c)

Mr President,

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whether it has any statistics on the number of drivers and front-seat passengers who escaped injury, as well as those who sustained injuries, as a result of the ejection of safety airbags during accidents in the past three years; if so, what the respective figures were;

how it will regulate the operation of safety airbags in view of the fact that the installation of safety airbags in cars is becoming increasingly common; and

whether measures will be taken to prevent the occurrence of incidents involving injuries caused by the ejection of safety airbags during accidents?

(a) The Administration does not keep statistics on cases in which airbags have inflated during traffic accidents. However we record causes of traffic accidents and where inflation of an airbag is the cause of a traffic accident, it is recorded. In the past three years, there was one reported accident caused by the sudden inflation of an airbag while the vehicle was moving. One passenger was slightly injured in this accident.

(b)

(c)

We are studying how the provision of airbags can be regulated and for this purpose, we are consulting overseas authorities. Particular attention is paid to the United States where a number of recommendations have come up after the relevant authorities have conducted research into the subject. As an example, we will study the recommendation made to manufacturers that the speed of releasing airbags should be reduced. When our study is completed, consideration will be given to introducing legislative amendments to govern the safe provision of airbags.

Pending long term regulations, as an initial step, the Administration will publicize a warning against carrying young children or babies in the front seats of vehicles which are provided with airbags. This can be done through press releases and briefings.

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