Out-of-Control Prius Stopped by Patrol Car I've noticed this in the news, but truthfully have not been following the reports. I can see how someone could be 'caught off guard' by this and have an accident. What is puzzling me is why turning off the engine doesn't stop the problem? Does anyone know?
As I understand it, if you turn the engine off the brakes don't work. You should put it into neutral and brake.
MULTIPLE news reports are that the electronic acceleration module is controlling all other systems. A person CANNOT turn off the engine. The braking system is shut down. One older woman was killed even though she had both feet on her brake pedal and the emergency brake on and the ignition switch off. The car simply continued accelerating. The paramedics found her with both feet shoved onto her brake. THIS IS A MONUMENTAL PROBLEM. Apparently Toyota has been covering up the electronic problem for years. Everyone was ignoring the situation across the country, until a California highway patrol officer - trained to handle emergencies - radioed in that the Lexus he was driving with his family had accelerated to over 100 mph; he had absolutely no braking capacity; he could not shut off the engine; and he had NO CONTROL over the car whatsoever. His last words to CHP dispatch were that they were entering an intersection against cross traffic at 100 mph and God, help us. That started waking people up and AP did an investigative piece which has found that at least 70 people have died as a result of uncontrolled acceleration.
This problem could happen to you no matter what kind of car you drive. The only logical thing to do would be to put the transmission in neutral. And apply brakes and emergency brake. Then turn off ignition. If the car still continues to accelerate, look for something like a retaining wall to steer into at an angle, or a steep enough hill to go up. Try to avoid flipping the car over. Maybe your seat belt and air bags will save you if you have to crash.
Isn't the new improved technology wonderful! Glad I don't have to put up with this insanity. Reminds me of a Windows operating system.
Look quickly for a Toyota dealership -- and aim for that.
I have a Hyundai Santa Fe and love it. Safe and wonderful car.
There's also a man serving life w/o parole for a crash he said took place when his Toyota accelerated to near 100 mph and would not stop no matter how hard he applied the brake and he crashed into a car killing 3 people inside. This happened several years ago and he said then that there was something wrong with the car but was convicted anyway.
Good point, samiam. I read that article and copied it because I have family who own Toyotas and have been following this very closely. The man's attorneys have developed a very strong case for obtaining a new trial for him and to introduce this new evidence. The family of the people who were killed have joined the defense in asking for a new trial. They don't blame him, but blame the vehicle. It's going through the legal system now. Maybe a new jury will believe the EVIDENCE, not just they thought he wouldn't slow down. Maybe he couldn't slow down. If he finds it possible to gain an acquittal, Toyota should pay FOR STEALING HIS LIFE FROM HIM. My family members would like to dump their Toyotas, but their trade in price is in the toilet.
I drive an electric car -- one that is categorized as a motorcycle by some states. Typically, motorcycles are required to have a 'kill-switch' and my car has one. All you have to do is hit the kill switch and all electric power and therefore the electric motor is OFF. On gasoline motorcycles the same occurs. In my electric car the switch is located under the drivers seat. So why can't a normal car have such a switch? If this can happen to a Toyota, then it can happen to any modern car which has a similar design. Maybe less likely due to some flaw, but the problem will still be there. ALL cars should be required to be fitted with a kill switch that leaves braking and steering intact. In short, this is not just a Toyota problem but a industry one -- and a LACK of proper Federal regulation one.
Another runaway Toyota Prius reported