Senator Chris Evans asked the Minister representing the Minister for Transport and Regional Development, upon notice, on 29 May 1996:

With reference to findings announced in the United States on 22 May 1996 that, in recent years, 19 small children not wearing, or incorrectly wearing, seat belts were killed because of airbags:

(1) What research is being carried out in Australia on the possibility of airbags causing death in similar circumstances.

(2) What procedure has the Government in place to be kept aware of, monitor, and act upon international road safety data.

(3) What are the Australian minimum standards for the installation of airbags into vehicles.

(4) Are warnings issued by manufacturers on the threat posed by airbags to occupants not wearing seat belts.

Senator Alston —The Minister for Transport and Regional Development has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) The Federal Office of Road Safety (FORS) commissioned a study in 1995 with the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) to investigate crashes involving airbag-equipped cars. The study was aimed at not only examining the benefits of airbags but also to alert FORS of any inherent problems with airbag deployments in the real world. Currently, MUARC has investigated sixty (60) cases of airbag deployment and there has not been any case of either adults or children in the passenger seat being injured or killed because of the airbag deploying.

In addition, FORS is carrying out a joint project with the New Car Assessment Program consortium to provide consumer information on the benefits of airbags. This will involve crash testing a range of passenger cars fitted with and without airbags to provide an authoritative assessment of the injury reduction benefits.

(2) In Australia, children are required by law to be properly restrained in an approved child restraint. Approved child restraints incorporate an upper tether strap which anchors the restraint to the vehicle structure. This requirement precludes the use of child seats and the like in the front seat of vehicles. The United States is now keen to follow Australia's lead in this area to minimise the likelihood of further fatalities in the US. The Federal Office of Road Safety has close links with their counterparts in the US, Canada, Europe and Japan so that there are regular reporting channels to alert FORS to any potential vehicle safety problems. In addition, FORS vehicle safety experts attend international meetings and conferences where the latest vehicle safety issues are canvassed.

(3) The full frontal Australian Design Rule (ADR) specifies injury limits measured by sophisticated crash test dummies. This allows manufacturers to choose the type of safety technology to demonstrate compliance and also encourages research into new, innovative restraint systems.

The setting of performance criteria is aimed at minimising the likelihood of serious injury in severe crashes. To meet the full frontal crash requirements, manufacturers do not necessarily have to fit an airbag—an energy absorbing steering assembly, heavily padded steering wheel and improved seat belts can provide similar safety benefits.

However, an airbag can reduce minor injuries on the occupant's upper torso and head in medium severity crashes.

The seatbelt wearing rate in the Unites States is only now approaching 70%. Australia has been over 95% for many years. Mandating airbags in the USA was the only way their government could ensure that occupants who do not wear seatbelts have some form of protection in crashes.

This has its downside, as researchers are now finding out. To protect the unbelted, US airbags must fire early and with greater force (so-called `aggressive') than the systems seen in Australia. This means that the small in stature, the elderly and unrestrained or poorly restrained children in the USA are disadvantaged and both low and high speed crash cases are now emerging where the US `aggressive' airbags have caused fatal or serious injuries.

That is why the Australian Design Rule requires the seatbelts to be fastened, allowing the vehicle manufacturers to tune their systems for restrained occupants which results in less `aggressive' airbag systems.

(4) Vehicle manufacturers fit a warning label to the sun visor of cars fitted with airbags. A typical example of the wording used is given below:

`WARNING   ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT

The wearing of seat belts is required by law, even when an airbag is fitted.

An airbag inflates very quickly and with great force. If you are too close to an inflating airbag, it could seriously injure you. Seat belts help keep you correctly positioned for airbag inflation in a crash.

NEVER install rearward facing infant/child restraints (eg baby capsules) in the front seat, as serious injury may result from the force of the inflating front passenger airbag.

If a forward facing child restraint is suitable for your child and is used in this front passenger seat position, always move the seat to its rearmost position, and buckle and tighten the seat belt.'