Look, Mom, No Airbag

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DETROIT: In a surprise about-face, U.S. automakers agreed to equip cars with switches necessary to turn off airbags. The auto industry had opposed the plan as unworkable, arguing that it would be nearly impossible to install switches in cars already on the road. Instead, they wanted dealers to allow mechanics to disconnect the devices, which have been linked to the deaths of 36 children and 20 adults since 1992. Fearing lawsuits if someone crashed in a car with an airbag disabled by mechanics, dealers responded with a hard push for switches, which they said would remove their liability by putting the choice in the hands of drivers. Chrysler and GM claim it will take several months to develop and test the new switches.