Nation IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Reports of Flaws in Seat Belts Disputed

While certain common auto safety belts can pop open in laboratory tests, there is no credible evidence they do so in “real world” crashes, officials of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. Based on a two-month review of 24 years of crash test data, as well as complaints from crash victims, the safety agency concluded there is no need to recall the tens of millions of cars that have been sold with side release buckles. But the Institute for Injury Reduction alleged that crash forces applied to such a buckle can cause it to unlatch and petitioned the agency to recall and order the redesign of the release buckles. The agency refused to take either action. “Safety belts provide outstanding crash protection, and the public should ignore irresponsible reports to the contrary,” said Marian Blakey, head of the highway safety agency.