From page 30 senger position. Of the remaining 22 child fatalities, 17 were believed ro be unbelted, three were believed to be using lap belts only, and wo were using lap/shoulder belts but may have been sitting on the seat more Canadians would be dying in collisions every year. In a similar way, air bags are now being challenged. People are demanding deac- tivation; cansumers will not want vehicles equipped with air bags, especially if they must carry children. If the current paranoia about air narth shore news # AUTO Air bags are a supplement to seat belts bags were to lead to wide- spread deactivation, one could reasonably expect an increase in traffic fatalities — peuple who could have been saved by an air bag. Moreover, the council reports, deactivating an air bag is not as easy as it may sound. Some vehicles with air bags have less cension in the front shoulder belts than required without an air bag. Some may not meet current Canadian — crashworthiness standards without the ir bag. Do-it-yourseifers may be injured by an accidental deployment if they try to deactivate an air bag. Friday, October 17, 1997 — North Shore News — 31 The National Highway Traffic Safery Administration estimates that air bags have saved about 1,000 lives in the U.S. since 1987. A study found that 96% of all injuries induced by air bags — injuries involving about 160,000 Americans —- are minor ones, such as contu- sions or abrasions. Only about one percent are serious or fatal Evidence clearly shows more people are killed in vehicles without air bags than those with air bags. Deactivating an air ba undeniably increases the risk of death or serious injury. edge. It is highly likely none of them was properly restrained. The underlying issue is that children must be prop- : erly restrained. Statistics show that only about 4% of Canadian children are prop- erly restrained to legal and manufacturer specifications. “whether they are in the front or, back scat, this puts them seriously at risk. In 1989, the National Occupant Restraint Program set a goal of 95% seat-belt usage by the year 1995. This program involved collabora- tion of provincial and federal agencies, including police, and safety organizations. As a result, seat-belt use among adults in the front seat has risen to well over 90%. Pockets of opposition to seat-belts lasted for a long time after provincial legisla- tion came into effect. In 1988, seat-belt legislation was challenged and initially overturned in Aijberta. This led to a drop in usage from 83% to 45%, with a related increase in deaths and injuries. If provincial governinents and safety agencies across Canada had allowed oppo- nents of seat-belts to have their way, the Safety Council maintains, usage would have fallen significantly as it did in Alberta before a higher court ruled in favor of the legisla- hundreds beeeeeeed pi CLEAROUT.S AT THESE PRICES YOU CAN AFFORD QUALITY ‘97 Corolla now only 4 door, am/fm cassette, cloth seating, power steering and much more! 4 door, 4 wheel drive - dual air bags am/im cassette & much more! tion. The result: FUEL UP ON AUTO ADVICE Automatic, airbag, remote mirrors and many, many standard features Loaded! Air conditioning, power windows & locks, Coming soon: lots of power moonroof, sound system & much more practical tips on prod- ucts and services tc keep all vehicles per- forming and looking great. Everything from hints for doityour 97 Toyota 4-Runner SRB selfers to advice from Al Mm V6, full of options, immaculate seasoned veterans will os - a No go Reduced to $23, 988 be included. Readers B95 Dodge Dakota P/U - will also be given the 9 Nicely equipped, only 17,090km opportunity to enter the popular “Clip to Win” contest. 88 Honda CRX Black, alloys, 5 speed, great shape, § only $8,995 92 Cutlass Supreme 4 doot: abgolutely ly lodged. reduced ” 4 to $9,988 © . 93 Grand Cherokee Ltd Loaded including leather reduced to $19,988 m 92 Mazo uPY xs Alloys, loaded, perfect 4 seascr a mini-van $16, 488 95 Mazda 626 Cronos ES ~N6- p/moon foot/asnew, only . ot vw Golf Cabriotet Save on end of season discounted m price, black on black, very te tow km 88 Caring lt a Low kin: local ear $7.8 FALL CAR CARE OCTOBER 31ST north shofe