AAP News Vol. 1 No. 7 July 1985, p. 3
© 1985 American Academy of Pediatrics
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Advocates deal with Catch-22 on seat belts

One would expect safety advocates to welcome the news that at least ten states have adopted mandatory seat belt laws.

The assumption is not incorrect, but many seat belt proponents have found themselves in an awkward position recently as they've promoted seat belt safety knowing that their success might mean the demise of another car safety measure — automatic crash protection systems.

In July 1984, Elizabeth Dole, secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, announced the reinstitution of federal safety standards requiring automatic protection systems in newly manufactured cars. The regulation requires car makers to phase in passive restraints, such as airbags and automatic seat belts, between 1986 and 1989.