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Small women face problems getting air bags disconnected

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Clinton administration wants to make it easier for consumers to get air bags disabled in view of questions over air bag deployments in lower-speed accidents.

The safety devices, credited with saving an estimated 1,700 lives, also have been blamed for the deaths of 38 children and 23 adults in survivable accidents. Most of the adults who have been killed by air bags were short women.

But automakers, dealers, repair shops and consumer organizations all have lined up in opposition to the administration's proposal to allow mechanics to disconnect air bags for any consumer who wants it done.

The safety agency has received more than 500 responses to its proposal. Many of them were from women 5 feet tall or shorter.

The auto industry and consumer groups are concerned about reduced safety in cars without working air bags. Auto dealers and repair shops fear being sued for injuries or deaths the air bag might have prevented.

Most automakers support deactivating air bags only if a person has a medical need or other compelling reason not to have an air bag.

Four former chiefs of the highway safety agency recently joined in criticizing the Clinton proposal, saying it could erode public support for safety standards.

The industry is more supportive of the idea of cutoff switches for air bags in vehicles already on the road. That puts the responsibility for turning off the safety device on the occupants.

Nearly 100 people wrote the agency in support of cutoff switches.

Agency officials are reviewing all the comments and expect to announce a decision in the next month.

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