HIT DIP (ROAD DEFECT) 04/26/05; DRIVER'S-SIDE AIRBAG (FROM STEERING WHEEL) DEPLOYED. THOUGHT CAR ABOUT TO CATCH ON FIRE (THAT AIRBAG POWDER WAS SMOKE); QUICKLY EXITED CAR, THEN REALIZED SITUATION. SUSTAINED AIRBAG BURNS - LOWER FACE/CHIN, ALL ACROSS CHEST/BREASTS; RIGHT HAND BRUISED, SWOLLEN BETWEEN 2ND & 3RD KNUCKLES. *NO* DAMAGE TO CAR, OTHER THAN AIRBAG DEPLOYING. MY OPINION REGARDING AIRBAGS SHIFTED 180 DEGREES; JUST WANT MY CAR'S AIRBAGS DISABLED, BUT TOLD THAT'S ILLEGAL (AT LEAST IN CA). SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DRIVE AFRAID OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT & INJURY OR EVEN DEATH, WITHOUT ANY SAY IN THE MATTER. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, AIRBAGS DESIGNED TO PROTECT 220-LB. _MAN_ IN FRONT-END COLLISION, RE-ENGINEERED AFTER 1ST GENERATION TO DEPLOY WITH MORE FORCE BECAUSE _NON-SEAT-BELT-WEARERS_ INJURED. I _ALWAYS_ WEAR SEAT BELT IN CAR (CA LAW); SINCE RELATIVELY SHORT (5'5"), DIRECTLY IN LINE OF DRIVER'S-SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT); LIGHTWEIGHT (125 LBS.) -- NOWHERE NEAR 220 LBS. EXTREMELY LUCKY NO OTHER CARS AROUND WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED; ELSE UNNECESSARY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT: DEPLOYMENT (EXPLOSION) AND RESULTANT POWDER SHOCKED ME & OBSCURED VISION. PER MOTOR SPORTS DIGEST (MSD@STIC.NET), FOR PROFESSIONAL/SKILLED RACE CAR DRIVERS: - "... SHOWROOM STOCK CLASSES ... USE THE SAME KIND OF CARS WE ALL DRIVE EVERY DAY, ONLY THEY _REMOVE_ THE AIR BAG FOR SAFETY!" AT RACING SPEEDS, WITH SAFETY PARAMOUNT -- YET RACERS REALIZE AIRBAGS ARE DANGEROUS. -