Posting #3
Topic: Technology
Title: Putting brakes on stuck pedals
Author: Joan Lowy
Publication Date: April 13, 2012 (Boston)
Publication Name: Boston Globe
Length of article: 2 pages
Although there is only a proposal for a law, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been thinking about adding a override system to cars. This system would activate when the gas pedal and brake are applied at the same time or if the accelerator system disconnects. It would be required in any new car weighting less than 10,000 pounds. Toyota recalled 2.17 million vehicles that were obstructing the gas pedal or were trapped by mats/carpeting. This invention will minimize the risk of accidents, and lower the amount of accident deaths. But the proposal doesn't address the issue that drivers accidentally use the accelerator when they mean to break, which is a bigger problem for other drivers and pedestrians. The NHTSA still hasn't made a decision about regulations for vehicles for this reason, and we may not see an answer in a while.
All in all, it has come to the NHTSA's attention that many cars have been victim to crashes due to faulty gas pedals. They are trying to do something to fix it, but they haven't made a decision yet. Boston Globe doesn't know when they will make a decision on this matter.
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