Tests Involve Swerves, Not Abrupt 90-Degree Turns, Says Consumer Reports

While generally a fine piece of reporting, John O’Dell’s article “Vehicles Run the Gantlet at Consumer Reports” (Jan. 5) incorrectly stated that our avoidance-maneuver test involves making abrupt 90-degree turns.

The accompanying diagram represents the Consumer Reports accident-avoidance maneuver conducted at our auto test facility in East Haddam, Conn.

The maneuver is meant to simulate the abrupt steering needed to avoid a sudden obstacle in the road. The course traces a curve, left-right-left from one lane to the other and back again. As you can see, the vehicles do not turn on such harsh angles.

R. DAVID PITTLE

Yonkers, N.Y.

Pittle is vice president and technical director of Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports magazine.