Parents Need Common Sense for Kids’ Sake

My heart aches for the Ambrose family (“Girl Killed by Air Bag Was Properly Belted,” Oct. 24).

For years, we have been told that the most dangerous seat in any vehicle is the front passenger seat. Why would parents subject their children to this danger? My children often resented sitting in the backseat, but they understood this was not negotiable.

I have heard young mothers comment that they “cannot reach their children to help them if they need it” if they are sitting in the backseat. I always want to say “Tough” in response to that.

I sincerely hope that more parents will use common sense where their children are concerned. Common sense doesn’t require a college degree.

SUSAN B. WEISS

Santa Ana

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I became quite alarmed after reading the air bag story, both in regards to the children and the 19 drivers who didn’t make it, either.

I just bought a new Toyota Camry, my first car with air bags. Because I am only 5-foot-1, I must pull the seat up about as far as it can go in order to reach the pedals. Unfortunately that puts me 12 inches from the steering wheel, which is about level with my face. To lower the steering wheel means I can’t read the speedometer, so I leave the steering wheel where “normal” people have it.

I was somewhat alarmed to read in the owner’s manual that, on impact, the air bag will inflate at 100 mph. If I didn’t die of fright, at the very least I could expect to suffocate before extricating myself, or hoping someone else bothers to.

PHYLLIS DONALDSON

Santa Monica