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The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued a modification of its proposed new roof crush standard to request public input on whether both sides of a vehicle roof should be tested and meet minimum forces.  

If adopted, the two-sided testing would require manufacturers to design vehicle roofs that withstand at least 2.5 times the weight of the vehicle on both sides of the roof as an alternative to testing just one side. A proposal, announced in August 2005, would require manufacturers to build vehicle roofs to withstand a force equal to 2.5 times the vehicle weight, as applied to only one side. The proposed roof strengthening would apply to vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters noted that the amended roof crush proposal is part of a comprehensive programme to reduce rollover fatalities and injuries, and includes mandating new technologies such as Electronic Stability Control, as well as stronger door locks.

(www.nhtsa.gov)