True (and I agree with your points about AT boots in downhill bindings), but ... my understanding of analysis by Vermont Safety Research is that ever since the entire skiing public finally ditched bindings that predated the late 70s or early 80s, ski injury rates have not changed despite impressive engineering advances in binding technology. (In other words, the epidemiological evidence suggests that "safer" bindings have unfortunately not increased skier safety with regard to lower-leg injuries.)
Also, here's their 1999 summary of what constitutes an obsolete binding:
http://www.vermontskisafety.com/faq_...q_skier_5.html
Would be very interesting to have them qualitatively evaluate and quantitatively test AT boot-binding systems.