Tim,
If I recall correctly, you are in the medical field so I won't disagree with your statements.
It is partly a philosophical issue for me. I like choices! I don't like to be forced to do something. If I were a motorcycle rider, I would ride with a full face helmet and full "leathers", maybe with armor. That is the level of safety I am comfortable with on a motorcycle.
Airbags were originally designed to protect unrestrained passengers. I don't drive unrestrained! I would prefer wider seatbelts that cinch. That would probably reduce the injuries sustained from belts. I don't like driving with my thumbs outside the rim to keep them from getting broken by an airbag. I don't like the fact that airbag wheels geneally obstruct part of the gauge package.
I don't like side airbags! If they spent more money on the structure of the car (side intrusion, crumple zones) and DRIVER EDUCATION and TRAINING, stricter licensing, we would be safer than with the money spent on airbags.
How many cars get totalled, not because of damage to the car, but because multiple airbags deployed. How much more does it cost to dispose of a car because of the need to remove the airbags?
Of course this is not a rant at you, I just don't need the government to be my mother, I have one. I don't like paying for things I don't want.
Happy Motoring
Greg