External airbags for cars?

Cycling groups are calling for cars to be fitted with external airbags – but kit makers developing the technology say motorists don’t want to pay for it.

Research from the Dutch Cycling Federation claims hundreds of deaths each year could be prevented if the hi-tech bags were adopted. Swedish car safety specialist Autoliv is already testing external devices – one inflates from the base of the windscreen. But it says motorists wouldn’t even pay an extra £25 for the kit.