BREAKING: WSJ says crash data points to pedal misapplication in Toyota...

[anfrey]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/13/breaking-wsj-says-crash-data-points-to-pedal-misapplication-in/

BREAKING: WSJ says crash data points to pedal misapplication in Toyota sudden acceleration cases

After receiving more than 3,000 reports of sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles, the U.S. Department of Transportation has concluded that driver error was actually at fault. According to The Wall Street Journal, investigators analyzing different data recorders from Toyota vehicles found that at the time of these sudden acceleration crashes, the throttles were wide open rather and the brakes were not depressed. Thus, they have reason to believe that drivers were mistakenly stomping on the accelerator rather than slamming the brakes in an attempt to avoid these crashes.

Of the 75 fatal crashes blamed on sudden acceleration, only one incident has actually been verified as being caused by vehicle fault – the Lexus ES350 accident that killed a California highway patrolman and three other passengers last August. Even so, this case was chalked up as an incident where the floor mat trapped the gas pedal, which Toyota quickly issued a recall for.

The WSJ also reports that U.S. Transportation Department officials have stated publicly that they have yet to find any electronic glitches in Toyota vehicles that could lead to these crashes. The only defects proven to be true are those that have been outlined by Toyota itself – floor mats and sticky accelerator pedals that are slow to return to idle.

So while Toyota may not have been at fault in these sudden acceleration cases, the automaker's image has indeed been seriously tarnished over the past few months. Over eight million Toyota vehicles have been recalled worldwide – a large blemish in automotive history, and it appears that much of the hand-wringing may have been for naught.

 

[R3dline]

wow, that sucks

 

[ImportFan1]

Damn, and go figure. Isn't on CNN...

 

[Jeegz]

Leave it to our government to yell fire, then yell just kidding!

 

[vjf915]

Dammit Anf, I didnt understand the title until I read the article

 

[98civikdx]

And we still see double and triple stacked floormats on a daily basis in these recalled cars......

 

[JohnS.]

Most accidents are due to people that are 1. stupid as f**k 2. bad drivers that shouldn't have their license. This is a good example. People that slam on the gas instead of the brake? Um..hello? I mean I know it's a 50% chance to hit the right pedal but do you really not know where each pedal is?

This is no surprise to me at all. I was skeptical about this from the start.

 

[Voltio]

Most accidents are due to people that are 1. stupid as f**k 2. bad drivers that shouldn't have their license. This is a good example. People that slam on the gas instead of the brake? Um..hello? I mean I know it's a 50% chance to hit the right pedal but do you really not know where each pedal is?

This is no surprise to me at all. I was skeptical about this from the start.

you forgot #3 which is Being Asian

 

[31dev31]

you forgot #3 which is Being Asian

 

[vjf915]

Oh snap dizzle!!!

 

[Wax Hands]

Hashahhaahah go figure. Human error fails epicly, again...and again...and again....

 

[Aaron.]

wow, i think they should be reimbursed

 

[BuiltforSin]

People need to realize you do not put All Season mats on top of the carpet mats. I work for Toyota now, but worked for Honda while the recall and issue was at full swing. People were so paranoid they were even calling in saying their Honda was doing the same thing. The general public is so f**king retarded. They will believe ANYTHING!

 

[anfrey]

remember to always secure your floor mats.

 

[JohnS.]

you forgot #3 which is Being Asian

LOL

Very true

 

[Ian123]

this is the dumbest thing ive ever heard. you guys honestly believe that the ONLY people who mistake their gas pedal for the brake ALL happen to be driving toyotas? its obviously some sort of problem with toyota's, its not the drivers fault

 

[billy10388]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/13/breaking-wsj-says-crash-data-points-to-pedal-misapplication-in/

Such a very amazing link!