New Override System to Reduce Consequences of Unintended Acceleration
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed a brake throttle override (BTO) requirement for all vehicles to help drivers stop runaway cars and avoid serious accidents.
August 01, 2012
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed a brake throttle override (BTO) requirement for all vehicles to help drivers stop runaway cars and avoid serious accidents.The NHTSA's decision rides on the heels of the recent issue with unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles. It would require all vehicles that weigh 10,000 pounds or less with electronic throttle control to come equipped with a BTO system. Toyota started to install these systems in 2009 after its sticky accelerator pedal debacle. Other manufacturers, like Nissan, General Motors and European carmakers, already use BTO systems in their vehicles.
How do Brake Throttle Override Systems Work?
Brake throttle override systems help drivers to avoid car accidents by bringing their cars to a complete stop during unintended acceleration. Without a BTO system, cars may not respond to a driver slamming on the brakes. The system "tells" the car to brake even when the accelerator pedal is pressed.
BTO systems cut power to the racing engine then recharge the power vacuum in the braking system. The vacuum is usually depleted when a driver repeatedly steps hard on the brakes, as is typical in an emergency situation on the highway. Without the vacuum, a car may not have enough power to come to a complete stop.
What to do in the Event of Unintended Acceleration
If a driver's vehicle is not equipped with a BTO system and accelerates unintentionally, the experts at Consumer Reports recommend that the driver puts the car into neutral then try to brake to a stop. Try to resist the reflex to repeatedly pump on the brakes, since that depletes the vacuum necessary to stop the car.
Losing control of a vehicle due to unintended acceleration is a scary and dangerous experience. Fortunately, one of the nation's safety agencies is advocating for improvements to car technology that would reduce or eliminate instances of unintended acceleration.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident caused by unintended acceleration, please consult an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you understand any compensation to which you may be entitled.
Article provided by Hal Waldman and Associates
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