Air Bag-Related Fatality in a Short, Forward-Positioned Driver,

Air bag-related fatalities are rare. We report the case of a 17-year-old girl-4 feet, 11 inches tall-who sustained a fatal basilar skull fracture when her vehicleʹs air bag deployed during a low-speed motor vehicle accident. This case emphasizes the need for seat belt use in air bag-equipped vehicles. Further study is needed to clarify the increased risk to shorter individuals and to those who drive with the seat in the far-forward position. [Perez J, Palmatier T: Air bag-related fatality in a short, forward-positioned driver. Ann Emerg Med December 1996;28:722-724.] See related editorial, Improving Air Bags.