From Tony Cairns
Your correspondent Alan Elkan
(25 December, p 86) is slightly mistaken
regarding car airbags. They were indeed first introduced in America because
seatbelts were not often used there, but they have also proved invaluable in
Europe in conjunction with a seatbelt.
Airbags reduce face and chest injuries from the steering wheel. Door or
seat-mounted bags can also provide side impact protection. A seatbelt is
certainly the best protection in a crash, but the airbag has an important role
to play as well.
Redditch, Worcestershire
