Governor signs airbag safety log

An auto safety airbag can't help you in a crash if it is not there. Because of that, Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill into law creating a new crime for auto repair shops who say they have replace or repaired a deployed air bag when they haven't. Those caught can be fined $5,000 and sent to prison for a year.

We have reported on auto repair shops that charge consumers $1,000 or more for a new air bag, but then stuff the dashboard with paper and trash.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the most common reason for a malfunctioning airbag is that it was never replaced after a previous crash.

The bill officially becomes law on Jan. 1, 2012.