Re:Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use p...
by eric_h on Thursday October 13, 2016 @06:18PM
(#12704568)
Okay, a quick googling led me to this [1]
It appears that passenger side airbags that automatically disable are not required, but they were explicitly allowed ca 1997 by the NHTSA (as well as allowing a manual on/off switch). So my original point was somewhat mistaken. Of course, cars do have a weight sensor to alert you when the passenger seatbelt isn't fastened, so still, the car knows when you have a passenger.
It appears that passenger side airbags that automatically disable are not required, but they were explicitly allowed ca 1997 by the NHTSA (as well as allowing a manual on/off switch). So my original point was somewhat mistaken. Of course, cars do have a weight sensor to alert you when the passenger seatbelt isn't fastened, so still, the car knows when you have a passenger.
1) http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle-Shoppers/Air-Bags/Deactivati...