Josephine Cooper, president and CEO, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, released a statement in conjunction with the Side Airbag Out-of-Position Injury Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting in Washington, DC, seeking critical review from interested parties on draft uniform test procedures for assessing side airbag-to-occupant interactions with particular attention to out-of-position occupants. In the statement, Cooper states the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Alliance members, in cooperation with the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) and the Automotive Occupant Restraints Council (AORC) have been working over the past year to develop recommended uniform test procedures for side- and head-protection airbags, with particular attention to out-of-position occupants. This activity is being chaired by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an organization independent from the auto industry and its suppliers. As background, NHTSA has been tracking real-world side airbag cases to monitor the extent of any injuries involving side airbags. To date, approximately 50 cases involving side airbags have been investigated. The field performance data from these investigations show that side airbags increase protection. The objective of the TWG has been to build on this experience and enhance the safety of side airbags by defining standardized test procedures to assure that even in the event that an occupant is out of position at the time of deployment, the risk of serious injury is very low.