Help me petition to deactivate driver-side airbags for Little People

When I was in high school, I really wanted to learn how to drive, but it seemed impossible. As a 4’5 young lady, I knew that regular driving instructors wouldn’t be equipped to help me out. I figured I’d have to buy a car and get it outfitted specially for me then learn how to drive, and of course, buying a car when you’re a high school student seems downright impossible. When I finally did learn how to drive, it seemed like a dream come true. But then I learned a little something about driving as a Little Person. It turns out that even with pedal extenders, I have to sit super close to the steering wheel. You can see my set-up in this picture.

So, the problem with this is that if my airbag deploys, which it does with a lot of force, it can seriously injure me or even kill me. This means a simple fender bender could be enough to change my life forever.

I am an action sort of person, so when I learned all of this I asked what I could do about it. I of course wanted to see if I could deactivate the airbag. I talked to my car dealer and did some research, and essentially, it is extremely difficult to get someone to deactivate the airbag because of liability issues, as you might suspect. Change needs to come from higher up.

With that in mind, I have started a petition at change.org. I’m targeting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration because they have tried to work on this issue in the past. Maybe with some signatures behind them they’ll be able to get the job done. At the very least, I’d like to open up the conversation. I feel I and people like me should be able to drive without fear.

If you agree, please sign my petition. If you really agree, I’d greatly appreciate it if you could help spread the word. Thank you!

41 Comments

  1. saving4someday on September 10, 2012 at 6:42 pm

    I’m signing on, Margie! I’m sure it wouldn’t even be an expensive “add on” since the vehicle is already wired on the passenger side. Thanks for taking up this important change!

    • margieclayman on September 10, 2012 at 7:59 pm

       @saving4someday all they need to do is clip some wires, I think. Seems simple enough, but then I’m no mechanic 🙂 

  2. JudyDunn on September 10, 2012 at 6:52 pm

    I have thought long and hard about this issue, Margie. I am 5’2.” That’s probably several inches taller than you, but when I adjust the seat after Bob has been driving, I have to move it so close to the steering wheel. I worry about airbags and I worry about the steering wheel impaling me! If they say not to put airbags near children, they really need to say near short adults, too. I am going over now to sign the petition.

    • margieclayman on September 10, 2012 at 8:00 pm

       @JudyDunn Hiya Judy. You’re quite right – this issue really affects any person who is under 5’6 – I believe that is the “ideal” height they use for crash test dummies. If you aren’t that tall you’re pretty darned SOL for now.
       
      Thanks for your help! 

  3. DixieLil on September 10, 2012 at 8:27 pm

    My daughter is 4’10” and uses extender pedals also.  Thanks for alerting me to this issue.  Will sign petition. 

    • margieclayman on September 14, 2012 at 9:03 pm

       @DixieLil thanks lady 🙂 

  4. Sean McGinnis on September 15, 2012 at 10:18 am

    Signed, with a smoosh.

  5. dabarlow on September 15, 2012 at 10:56 am

    Signed! Being almost 5’2 I have to set close to steering wheel. Was told by my insurance agent that I should put a 8×11 paper between me and steering wheel, that measurement is safe distance. Ha, do that and have hard time reaching it and seeing the front end of car.

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  38. Anna Wyatt on September 30, 2018 at 12:35 am

    I also am short and am having great difficulty getting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to send a letter allowing me to deactivate the driver side airbag or to install an on-off switch. I have started a new petition “Air bags kill small adult drivers” and hope that you would support my Petition as well. It is at https://www.change.org/p/heidi-king-air-bag-deployment-kills-small-adult-drivers?recruiter=62472504&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_term=4f6e1d15333a457fb8f04b2208609cac.

    Thank you. Let’s keep working to resolve this important issue for small adults.

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