Congress of the United States OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT

WASHINGTON , DC 20510

JOHN H GIBBONS

DIRECTOR

TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT BOARD · TED STEVENS , ALASKA CHAIRMAN

MORRIS K . UDALL . ARIZONA VICE CHAIRMAN ORRING MATCH . UTAK

GEORGE E BROWN JA , CALIFORNIA CHARLES MCC MATHIAS . JA , MARYLAND JOHN D . DINGEL MICHIGAN EDWARD M KENNEDY , MASSACHUSETTS CLEMENCE E MILLER , OMO ONEST F HOLLINGS , SOUTH CAROLINA LOE EVANS . IOWA AIBORNE PEL RHODE ISLAND

JOHN H . GIBBONS

April 26 , 1985

DECCION

Mr . Theodore J . Jacobs General Counsel Commerce , Consumer and Monetary

Affairs Subcommittee Committee on Government Operations U . S . House of Representatives Washington , D . C . 20515

co : 52 , 02 : 22A ! 47 FTAPO 5593 S . COOITTEE

Dear Ted :

To follow up on our telephone conversation earlier today , we have carefully reviewed the documents from the Consumer Products Safety Commission and other materials provided by you on the safety of three - wheel , all - terrain vehicles ( ATV ) . Our basic impression is that the record of injuries and fatalities resulting from the recreational use of ATVs , especially by those under 16 years of age , raises serious concern about safety and suitability of these vehicles . Further , the information assembled by CPSC indicates that the problem is complex , stemming partly from basic design characteristics of the tricycle configuration and partly from human factors such as the age and experience of users , lack of adequate training , and the manner of use . The problem is compounded by the makers ' promotion of the product , which encourages the operation of ATVs in an adventuresome , thrill - seeking way .

These observations are derived solely from our review of materials in the hands of the Subcommittee , supplemented by information gained from conversations with NHTSA officials and independent technical experts specializing in the area of vehicle dynamics . We have not conducted an independent analysis of ATV design or of the ATV accident record .

The information gathered by CPSC impresses us both with respect to the thoroughness of their preliminary investigation and the soundness of their approach . It is also clear that there are few if any published reports on experimentation and testing of ATV handling characteristics , except those which may have been conducted by the manufacturers . Our conversations with technical experts confirms the general CPSC conclusion that dynamic stability and handling properties are central to the safety problem and that the loss of control associated with ATV accidents stems from handling characteristics which are inherent in the vehicle design and demand a high degree of operator skill to negotiate rough terrain .

Clearly , a thorough program of analysis , test , and evaluation is required to understand the problem in depth and to identify remedial measures either in vehicle design or in regulating the circumstances of use . An undertaking of this sort is not within the capability of OTA , nor would it be in keeping with our organizational