Brake Override systems may be soon be required in ALL cars

Topics and News related to Vehicle Safety Issues such as New Technologies and Recalls
MSI
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Brake Override systems may be soon be required in ALL cars

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Mar 3, 2010: Brake override systems, wherein the accelerator is deactivated when the brake pedal is pressed. Often called the “smart pedal” system it is now currently installed in many automobiles sold worldwide: BMW, Chrysler, Mercedez-Benz, Nissan & Volkswagen.
From the New York Times today US Considers Brake Override System the Obama administration may recommend that carmakers install a brake override system in all vehicles to prevent debacle like the Toyota turmoil currently diverting attention from more important transportation safety issues.
See the New York Times article US Considers Brake Override System
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Re: Brake Override systems may be soon be required in ALL cars

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Mar 3, 2010: Also discussed at the meeting Tues was possible changes to the TREAD Act. The TREAD Act, passed in 2000, was to help the government spot safety defects sooner following the massive Firestone tire recall. The law responded to more than 250 deaths and hundreds of injuries in accidents involving some Firestone tires, typically used on Ford Explorers, that were prone to losing their tread and rolling over.The new requirements prompted automakers to recall more than 30 million vehicles in 2004, an industry record, but lawmakers investigating the Toyota recalls have cited loopholes in the law and a lack of urgency by federal regulators.
Other possible modifications are limitations on fine amounts (currently $16.4 million which is peanuts to billion dollar carmakers) and increased funding for more staff at NHTSA.
See the Associated Press article Toyota hearings may lead to new auto safety rules
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Re: Brake Override systems may be soon be required in ALL cars

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Q: I've read (but have no solid source) that there are no reported cases of unintended acceleration in cars with manual transmission. If this is true, I certainly hope that brake override will not be required for stick shift cars--because it would prevent heel-toe and the fun of matching engine speed on downshifts. Also, there are plenty of cases where throttle and brake at the same time are useful on slippery surfaces, or even on hard surfaces to change the effective brake balance. We (USA society) are in a mad rush to dumb everything down and this is one case where there is utility for the trained driver -- to be able to use throttle and brake at the same time. Some of us actually enjoy driving and the required skills! (Q received via email)
A: From the Audi 'unintended acceleration' days there were no problems with manual transmission vehicles nor any drivers who were two footed drivers (left for brake, right for accelerator). The conclusion was there was no 'defect'
(For additional information on the Audi, see Will Toyota encounter a press created Audi 5000 type fiasco?). The only 'defect' was pedal misidentification and driver reaction.
Also see our thread How Real are the Defects in Toyota's Cars? where you’d have to believe that Toyota is out to get elderly drivers!
From that thread
"Mega McArdle of the Atlantic taking a detailed look at the incidents were highly correlated with three things:
  • being elderly,
    being short,
    parking (or leaving a parking space).
    and just starting up the vehicles!
NHTSA and the lawyers will run fast and loose with Toyota's paying the $16M fine as 'proof' that there is a defect. Interesting defect that somehow identifies elderly short people parking or starting up?! (maybe something in pacemakers or Metamucil that causes an electromagnetic anomaly to set off a WOT chain reaction!!? (who knows, maybe the crazies will also try to pass this theory like the power line theory of electromagnetic interference which was recently rejected as junk science!)
So one would hope the changes in the vehicles to placate the rabid lawyers and lawmakers will not change vehicles to ALL have brake overrides.
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Re: Brake Override systems may be soon be required in ALL cars

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June 9, 2010: Consumers report's chief supports Brake override system in ALL cars, in line with the Obama Administration,
"Legislation requiring an override feature, or “smart” throttle, when the accelerator and brakes are applied together would cut dangers from misplaced mats" said David Champion, Consumer Reports’ director of automotive testing.
See Autos Need Feature to Cut Pedal Risk, Test Chief Says (Update1)
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