Proposed Rollover Testing Procedures Now on NHTSA's Web Site

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2002 -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) notice of proposed rulemaking to develop a dynamic test on rollovers by motor vehicles for the purpose of a consumer information program is now available on the agency's World Wide Web site: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/rulings/Rollover/2001Standards/RolloverRes istance.pdf .

The Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation Act of 2000 requires NHTSA to develop a dynamic test on rollovers by motor vehicles for the purpose of a consumer information program, to carry out a program of conducting such tests, and, as these tests are being developed, to conduct a rulemaking to determine how best to disseminate test results to the public.

In response, this notice discusses the results of NHTSA's evaluation of numerous driving maneuver tests for the dynamic rollover consumer information program that Congress mandated for the American public beginning in the 2003 model year. This notice also proposes several alternative methods for using the dynamic rollover test results in the agency's consumer information for vehicle rollover resistance.

Comments are due within 45 days from publication. Procedural details are included in the notice.

The complete docket for rulemaking on the dynamic rollover testing program is available online by going to http://dms.dot.gov/ and searching for docket number 9663.