TECHNICAL QUICK - FIX POSSIBILITIES
I have been asked to respond to the question : " is a technical fix
possible to improve safety of ATV ' 3 ? "
The operative word is improve . How
much of an improvement is desirable ? How much of an improvement can reduce
the accidents to a tolerable level . And what is a tolerable
level .
I can ' t answer this question too well .
Two directions in which to go could be ( i ) to make it a 4 wheeler , and
( ii ) to lower the center of gravity of the rider . Other possibilities would
include ( iii ) speed limiting features , and ( iv ) consideration of a limited
slip differential .
What is really needed is such a marked change in the design that it is
likely the result would not sell .
In any event , any design changes should be
proven in the field before incorporation . It is almost impossible to
anticipate the many possible customer responses .
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CPSC
The very best thing that could be done is to recall all ATV ' s on the road
Ver
and ban the further manufacture of them . The cost in human suffering is too
great .
I am not optimistic about the likelihood of this happening , but I
refuse to suggest or imply that any lesser action is adequate .
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