Federal regulators are proposing a new rule designed to reduce the risk of potentially deadly sudden unintended acceleration accidents. The regulation would make installation of a brake throttle override mandatory in all new vehicles. The goal of the proposed safety regulation is to provide a safe way to slow a vehicle where the brake pedal becomes stuck or depressed by a faulty floor mat. Toyota has recalled millions of cars in the wake of complaints of sudden unintended acceleration accidents. The automaker also settled a lawsuit for $3.8 million in a fatal unintended acceleration collision in San Diego, CA.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) officials have suggested that the proposed change could prevent sudden acceleration accidents caused by sticky gas pedals and defective floor mats based on the results of studies conducted by NASA and the NHTSA. The vehicle’s onboard computer would automatically disengage the throttle when the vehicle’s brake pedal is depressed.
The impetus for the new regulation is in part a fatal collision in 2009 in which a floor mat trapped the gas pedal of a Lexus ES350 and caused the vehicle to accelerate to over a hundred miles per hour before crashing and igniting into a fireball of flames. The crash resulted in the tragic death of an off duty CHP officer and three family members. Witness reports indicated that at the time the vehicle was accelerating out of control, a vehicle occupant was on the phone with 911 reporting that the vehicle would not slow down despite the driver repeatedly depressing the brake peddle.
Lexis cars and other vehicles manufactured by Toyota suffered severe sales declines in the wake of repeated recalls related to unintended acceleration defects. Although some vehicle manufacturers already employ brake override systems, they are not yet standard many vehicle makes and models.
Sudden acceleration accidents present a terrifying situation because the uncontrolled acceleration makes the vehicle harder to maneuver and impossible to stop. While any vehicle that accelerates on its own to high rates of speed poses an extremely high risk of causing an accident, this type of collision is also likely to cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities because of the force of impact.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a sudden unanticipated acceleration accident in Mississippi, our experienced Mississippi sudden acceleration car accident attorneys may be able to represent you in seeking the financial compensation your deserve. At the Barrett Law Offices PLLC, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi. Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.
