Automakers win leeway during first year of phasing in airbags designed to reduce injury risks for out-of-position occupants.

A requirement that automakers phase in airbags that are less dangerous to improperly seated passengers and smaller passengers has been softened by cutting the number of vehicles required to meet the requirement in the first year of implementation. Advanced airbags have two-stage inflators, which deploy differently, depending on severity of the crash, and have suppression systems to protect smaller people, children, infants and those improperly seated. Originally, 35% of cars sold from September 2003 to August 2004 had to meet the requirement. Now that is 20%. Remaining phase-in remains the same, with 100% of cars meeting the new rule by September 2005. (Author/publisher)