Airbag Restraint Regulation: Potential Domestic Macroeconomic Impacts

摘要

The study estimates the macroeconomic impacts of a regulatory alternative that would require airbag restraints in all new vehicles. Publicly available data were used to derive ranges of assumptions for airbag prices and vehicle demand price elasticities. Base-level vehicle sales and price data were obtained from published sources. The major conclusion of the study is that such a regulatory option would have a significant impact on new vehicle sales and on several macroeconomic factors. A range of impacts was calculated. The study indicates a need for additional macroeconomic analyses of the passive restraint regulatory options under consideration. The limitations of the study are indicated, and the results should be interpreted within those constraints.