Post Toyota Recalls, Brake Override Could Become Law
By Michelle Krebs February 8, 2011
Though Toyota was exonerated from electronic flaws in its unintended acceleration cases, the U.S. government may propose a number of new rules for vehicles, including brake override systems, and may further study electronic controls as well as pedal design and placement.
The Department of Transportation, which oversees NHTSA, said today it is considering several new actions following the findings of no electronic flaws in Toyota's unintended acceleration cases. They include:
- proposing rules by the end of 2011 to require brake override systems, to standardize the operation of keyless ignition systems and to require the installation of event data recorders in all passenger vehicles.
- beginning broad research on the reliability and security of electronic control systems;
- and researching the placement and design of accelerator and brake pedals, as well as driver usage of pedals, to determine whether design and placement can be improved to reduce pedal misapplication.
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