AIR BAG SAFETY IS A TOPIC OF CONCERN

Since the advent of air bags in automobiles, they have been responsible for saving some 1,600 lives in crashes where drivers front-seat passengers otherwise surely would have died. This is the sort of lifesaving advancement that earns high praise in the consuming public.

But there is some bad news too. The air bags all operate basically the same way by exploding into position to give protection during a crash. Unfortunately, more than 50 persons, children and adults, have been killed by the air bag deployment itself. This is because children and smaller adults tend not to be positioned properly in the front set.

While there is no move afoot to abandon air bag technology, the federal government is finally relenting in its rules to allow changes that might prevent some air bags from doing harm. One possibility is a rule change that would allow motorists to deactivate the air bags in certain situations. Already in the words are more visible warnings of the possible dangers of air bags. And there are education efforts aimed at promoting the rear seat -- with proper use of seat belts and car seats -- as a safer location for children.

Ultimately, automakers are likely to devise air bags with computerized brains that would calculate the size and weight of front-seat passengers. Until such air bags are available, however, it will be up to motorists to use common sense to protect themselves and their passengers.