Abstract
A systematic sample of 215 North Carolina drivers who had been in crashes in which their car's air bag deployed were surveyed regarding their experiences. The respondents were generally favourable toward air bags, and almost all indicated that they would want an air bag in their next car. The overwhelming majority thought their air bag protected them from injury, although many respondents reported minor crash and/or air bag-related injuries. Many respondents (44 percent) did not recall anything particular about the air bag deployment event; about one in five remembered something they perceived as a problem. Dust, odour, noise, and "smoke" were the most frequent recalled events with dust and odor being perceived most often as problems. (A)