NHTSA report to indicate driver error in many Toyota accident cases

August 12,2010

According to reports from various sources, including the Wall Street Journal, early results from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) investigation into Toyotas’ “sudden unintended acceleration” will indicate that driver error is to blame in many of the reported accidents.

Data recorders on the wrecked Toyotas reportedly show that many of them indicate that the cars had throttles open and brakes disengaged at the time of the crashes. This data indicates that drivers many have been mistakenly flooring the accelerator instead of stepping on the brakes.
In 35 of the 58 cases under review the driver had not put on the brakes. In another nine incidents, the brakes were applied too late. And in one, the brake and accelerator pedals were both pressed at the same time.

This may be a separate issue from the “sticky accelerators” and trapped floor mats which did lead to at least one fatal accident. If the result is upheld and Toyota’s electronic system is found free of fault in these accidents, the company may yet be vindicated. It could be a case similar to mistaken press reports of “unintended acceleration” in Audis in the 1980s, in which driver error was to blame for many of the reported accidents.

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