Side Air Bags

[7@NGHS]

I was forwarded, early last year, a report reference several officers that were killed and/or injured while attempting to unlock a vechile. While attempting the unlocking, the side airbag was deployed and shot the "slim jim" up causing the deaths/injuries.

Since this is a "service" we still provide when possible, this concerns me more.

Has anyone any knowledge of these occurrances and know of any sources that a list of vehicles equipped with side airbags can be obtained?

When you ask the owner, 95% say, "I don't know".

Thanks for any help and Stay Safe.

------------------
Eddie

[KenM]

I think I remember something about this being a hoax. One of theose "urban legends".

[radar]

Thanks for the information, I opened 3 today and had never even thought about that. I will be more careful in the future.

[John from Maryland]

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration researched this issue and found no cases of death or injury to police. I think this is another urban legend. There was an extensive posting on the history of the legend in the CALEA message board (yes, I know, CALEA's the organization I just bashed in the public forum). In an ironic note, the alleged unintentional source of the legend is a friend of mine from the County Police. Be safe.

[radar]

A follow up on this, even if it is not a danger issue it seems that you could do some real damage to the system so I am going to treat this like power locks and stay away.

[John from Maryland]

There is a possibility of damaging the airbag system. Though our agency requires a liability waiver be signed, there is no mention about rendering airbags useless. That will be something to bring up at the next staff meeting which will again bring the gratitude and thanks of my chief.

[R.White]

This apparent rumor made the rounds here in FL too. Although its a great PR tool, unlocking cars will eventually cost you money. You can have all the liability waivers you want and they won't protect you from a persistant damage claimant...mainly because either your local govt. attorney or the head of your local govt. knows its easier and a lot cheaper to pay a couple of hundred dollar claim than to go to court, prove you were right and still be out several thousand dollars defending your actions. I stopped this program when I became Chief in Sebastian because at my previous dept. we got hit with a claim that we damaged the locking mechanism on a Jaguar. We paid about $350 to get it fixed and that was the last one we ever did. Our local Sheriff's Office still provides this service (Good PR = votes) and thats fine with me. We just call them. RW