Re: Airbags - only last 10 years ?

Ian Johnston wrote:
> On Sat, 31 Dec 2005 12:32:38 UTC, "Huw" <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk>
> wrote:
>
>> Ian Johnston wrote:
>>> On Fri, 30 Dec 2005 23:11:23 UTC, "Huw"
>>> <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Ian Johnston wrote:
>>>
>>>>> Old Johnston's Motoring Prophecy Number One: This is going to be a
>>>>> Big Problem.
>>>
>>>> It is only a problem in that regard if the devices do not
>>>> 'fail-safe' In fact they might not fail at all within the useful
>>>> life of 99% of cars and then fail-safe with a warning light.
>>>
>>> If the devices do not 'fail-safe' ... might not fail at all ...
>>>
>>> Wanna bet? Wanna bet your life?
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Everyone who drives sitting behind one every day is betting his life
>> on it.
>
> ... is betting his life on a new one, not one which has been around
> beyond its design, inexorably deteriorating.
>

The whole car deteriorates and so does the drivers mind and reaction time as
it ages. There is a small but significant chance that even new airbags could
deploy for no reason. I believe that there is currently a significant
re-call from one manufacturer because of this. Life is never risk free. It
is a question of weighing risks up and taking the least risky route through
life.

If you think that airbags older than say 10 are unduly risky either because
of premature detonation or because of their possible non deployment when
needed, then weigh the risks up and act accordingly. You could perhaps just
drive newer cars, older cars with no airbags, disable the old airbags or
replace them with new ones. I am all for the individual making the choice
unless there is significant proof of dangerous and spontaneous malfunctions,
in which case some compulsory action would be needed.
All through life you make choices on risks whether you know it or not. In
this case I would have no hesitation in continuing to drive behind an old
airbag but perhaps not expect it to deploy in an accident. If it did deploy
then that would be a bonus indeed. In any case I would be no worse off than
if the car was not fitted with an SRS airbag in the first place.

Huw


.

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