Mandatory Brake-Override Proposed For All Cars 911
Hugh Pickens writes "The LA Times reports that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants to require automakers to include a brake-throttle override system in all their cars and light trucks to help drivers regain control when a vehicle accelerates suddenly when the throttle becomes stuck or jammed. 'America's drivers should feel confident that any time they get behind the wheel they can easily maintain control of their vehicles — especially in the event of an emergency,' says Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The move came after a fiery 2009 Lexus crash after a floor mat was improperly installed and may have trapped the accelerator pedal, causing the vehicle to race down California Highway 125 outside San Diego at more than 100 miles per hour, crashing and bursting into flames, killing an off-duty California Highway Patrol Officer and three members of his family. That crash led to a recall of 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to fix the floor mat problem, and Toyota issued millions more recall notices to fix sticking gas pedals and other issues. Now Toyota has made a brake-override system standard, implementing it in all vehicles the company sold by the end of 2010, and most other automakers offer such a system on many of their vehicles or are adding it. Other automakers would have about two years to comply with the proposal (PDF). 'We learned as part of the comprehensive NASA and NHTSA studies of high-speed unintended acceleration that brake-override systems could help drivers avoid crashes,' says NHTSA Administrator David Strickland."
Wrong override (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Just turn off the car? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Just turn off the car? (Score:5, Interesting)
As someone who used to "sneak in" when I was out past curfew. I can tell you it is possible to turn off a car and coast into your driveway while making a turn without power steering and power brakes. It is much more difficult, but doable if you know to expect it. The part about some steering wheels locking up is true, but if you leave the key in the accessory position it should still work. In any event as a driver I much prefer manual (more fun and safer in this case). Save the Manuals!
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/save-the-manuals-official-headquarters [caranddriver.com]
Re:Just turn off the car? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Brake override is built-in already ... (Score:5, Interesting)
I was in a car in the late 60's with my father when a bolt holding the air filter on came off and dropped into the carb jamming the throttle wide open. This was a bad ass Buick 445 V8 so we took off like a scalded cat.
I reached over and turned off the ignition and we coasted to a safe stop. I was 12 at the time.
The problem with these people is they have no idea how their car works or how to drive. So we are going to put in more safety systems which of course make how a car operates less transparent.
Re:Just turn off the car? (Score:4, Interesting)
why not put the car in neutral?
Oh right -- answered my own question -- because you're panicking like a moron and can't think to do anything but stand on the brake.
Actually, the people panicking like a moron and standing on the brake will come to a rapid and controlled stop.
It is the panicking morons that swear they are standing on the brake and are instead:
A) Standing on the accelerator
B) Timidly applying light brake and boiling brake fluid 'til the brakes don't work
these are the people that actually have issues with "unintended acceleration".
Re:Just turn off the car? (Score:5, Interesting)
Simple, they panic. I know everyone on here thinks they are far too smart, and this could never happen to them, but it can. When your car starts accelerating wildly, your brain goes into 'I am about to be killed' mode. You do not think, you react.
This. I'm as guilty as anyone of thinking "Oh, but I'm a smart person, I know what to do.." and I even drive a manual, making 'unintended acceleration' even easier for me to resolve. But; once when I first had my current car, my first with cruise control, I unintentionally pressed the 'resume' button that activates the cruise control to the last speed it was set at. I believe the setpoint in question was somewhat over 70mph. I was in a variable speed limit zone set to something like 40mph (which was why I wanted the cruise control). The car shot off on its mission to go along at 80mph or whatever, straight towards a speed camera site (there was no-one in front of me, thankfully). Now, I know and knew that pressing the brake would immediately disengage the cruise control; but for about 2 seconds at least I was shitting bricks not knowing what to do.
Having one's car unexpectedly accelerate is a disconcerting experience, so it's not surprising that people panic and end up in trouble.
Re:It's confirmed (Score:4, Interesting)
Your statement that the car was safe is unsubstantiated. Without enough proper data points the claim simply cannot be made.
Re:Just turn off the car? (Score:5, Interesting)
Hey gramps! Manual transmissions are only found in museums and 18 wheelers.
Welcome to Europe, where 3 out of 4 cars have manual transmission, including brand new ones.
Re:Just turn off the car? (Score:4, Interesting)
There was a case of somebody who was trying to back out of their garage, but had the car in the wrong gear and went forward instead... and wound up pinning a family member against the wall. They tried to hit the brakes as hard as they could but the car didn't stop, and wound up crushing their family member.
An investigation afterwards found that they'd been stomping on the *gas* pedal so hard that it was bent.
Re:Wait, wtf, NASA again?!? (Score:4, Interesting)
I'm assuming there has to be more to that story.
Nothing about it makes sense to me. He had time to call 911 and talk for ages but not enough time to do any of the several things that would have stopped the car.
Re:Wait, wtf, NASA again?!? (Score:5, Interesting)