NHTSA Complaint #721984 — 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A CITY STREET, BELOW THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT, A CAR PULLED INTO OUR PATH. AS THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE HORN, SHE NOTICED SHE HAD TO REMOVE ONE HAND FROM THE RING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE ALSO REALIZED THAT IF IMPACT HAD OCCURRED, HER ARM WOULD HAVE SUSTAINED TREMENDOUS FORCE FROM THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG. IT IS OUR OPINION THAT THE HORN ACTIVATION BUTTONS SHOULD BE ON EACH SIDE OF THE WHEEL SO THE DRIVER CAN KEEP BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL FOR EVASIVE MANUEVERS IF NEEDED AND TO KEEP THE HANDS AWAY FROM THE AIRBAG'S DEPLOYMENT ZONE. *AK