Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

CPSC Bill (Continued from page 4) injury or death, and establish programs to ensure dealer compliance with the safety requiremenlS of the rule." The rule would require ATV dealers to provide safety infqrmation to buyers. IL would require performance and design chariges £0 ATVs, including, "if appropriate, roll bars," to improve safety. 1l also would ban the sale of three-wheeled and child-sized ATVs in any state that does not have a law which requires the licensing of ATV operalOrs, safety training, the use of helmets and a minimum rider age of 16. The CPSC voted 2-1 during a secret meetin~ December 12, 1986, £0 ask the Jusuce Department to file suit a~ainst ATV manufacturers to estabhsh a voluntary recall/refund pr0/p"am for ATVs (Scanlon voted agaInst the measure but it was approved by Commissioners Anne Graham and Carol Dawson). The matter has been tied up in the Justice Department ever since, reportedly because some Justice Department attorneys feel evidence does not support the CPSC contention that three-wheeled ATVs and some four-wheeled ATVs pose an "imminent hazard" to the buying public. Congressman Florio does not agree. He hopes his bill will bring about a recall/refund program by using the legislative process to bypass the CPSClJustice Depart· ment stalemate. He also hopes £0 curb Scanlon's power. as CPSC chairman, whom he portrayed as pro-business and intensely anticonsumer. "The record of the Commission, under its current leadership structure, is horrifying," said Florio. "The subcommittee has documented case after case where the commission has been. unable £0 act decisively £0 protect consumers from safety hazards. "If the American people knew what 'a shell of its former self the CPSC has become, they would be shocked," Florio said. "More than that, they would be afraid. They would be afraid of being among the unlucky' ones whose ride on a threewheeled ATV ends in serious injury or death when the ATV flipped over and pinned them underneath. Afraid of watching in horror while a 'toy' bought for a child turns into an instrument of death. " "In the case of ATVs, a majority of the commission members referred an enforcement case to the Justice Department, but the Justice Department has yet £0 agree to lake the case," said Florio. "The commission is unable or unwilling to pursue the case itself, and the chairman is unwilling to push the Justice Department. And the toU of 20 deaths and 7000 injuries a month continues. "The legislatien we are introducing today will require the commission £0 act on safety problems and will reorganize and overhaul the commission," said Florio. The CPSC Improvement Act mandates: That the chairman of the CPSC be elected by the other commissioners (the cilairman currently is appointed by 'the President); that top commission staff members be. responsibile to the entire commission, not just to the chairman; that the President consider individuals with product safety experience when making appointme~ts to the commission; and that two commissioners establish a quorUm when there are only three commissioners. • .. r~ ~ ..0 o .... u o ......- - - - - - - - - . cut out and mall toda, - - - - - - - - - I I I I CHARTER Subscription Order Form I I ,&& • • r •• r •• o III me with the fint i_. o Check or Money Order encloMd (make out payable to Cycle News) 111 0 YESlI _nt to be a c...... aubecriber to Personel Waterel.ft lIlustreWd. Thet', the fint 7 i . - . for .7.00. o Charge my credit card oVi.. o Mastercard Card Number 1 INeme_.,..----:-~_:_------'----"'---"':::.:_:.-::.. Explretion .te------/------/_ _ ' 1 _ Signature ·1 C print cleerlyl __ I------:-::-----------"::"-=-- I I I L City PhoMC -"'Stetlt' • I .. .. ----,_.._-'.- Z lp .... _ , __- _ Mail to: Penon.. Wlltera'.tt ....tnted clo Cycle News, Inc. P.O. Box 498 Long Beach, CA 90801-0498 - --- - ... _ _ . - -.. ~---.,---..- .._ .. 39

• Cover