anyone see this happening to them?

**0rion** · 11-04-2009, 02:50 PM

I don't want this to turn into a "idiot driver" thread because people died but I'm curious if you could actually see this ever happening to you.
I was reading an update to the toyota story where the family of 4 died in a wreck because the accelerator pedal stuck to the floor. Whether it was a floor mat or not is beside the point but the guy had time to use his cell to call 911 so it evidently wasn't a surprise thing. I just can't help from thinking that it could NEVER happen to me that way. Why didn't he shut the key off, or slam the car in park, ride the brakes, down gear, or something to slow the car down? Maybe there's something I'm missing in the story but I just don't understand why his entire family had to die when I see many different ways he could've stopped that car. Whether he's a car guy or not your first instinct has to be to shut the car off or slam on the brakes or something. I could see the brakes overheating over time but I would still think they'd slow down most modern cars because normally the brakes are decent and the engines don't make a lot of horsepower. What am I missing here?
Like I said, I won't let people bash this guy because he, along with his entire family, died in this wreck. Just curious what I'm missing.

**LS1FirehawkWS6** · 11-04-2009, 02:53 PM

link to original story?

**0rion** · 11-04-2009, 02:56 PM

sorry.... this is the first time I've seen this report. He was a CHP.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZWPItpu2bM[/ame]

**86 IROC-Z** · 11-04-2009, 02:56 PM

I drive a third gen so I wouldn't have much to worry about.

**grouch0jr** · 11-04-2009, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by 0rion

I don't want this to turn into a "idiot driver" thread because people died but I'm curious if you could actually see this ever happening to you.
I was reading an update to the toyota story where the family of 4 died in a wreck because the accelerator pedal stuck to the floor. Whether it was a floor mat or not is beside the point but the guy had time to use his cell to call 911 so it evidently wasn't a surprise thing. I just can't help from thinking that it could NEVER happen to me that way. Why didn't he shut the key off, or slam the car in park, ride the brakes, down gear, or something to slow the car down? Maybe there's something I'm missing in the story but I just don't understand why his entire family had to die when I see many different ways he could've stopped that car. Whether he's a car guy or not your first instinct has to be to shut the car off or slam on the brakes or something. I could see the brakes overheating over time but I would still think they'd slow down most modern cars because normally the brakes are decent and the engines don't make a lot of horsepower. What am I missing here?
Like I said, I won't let people bash this guy because he, along with his entire family, died in this wreck. Just curious what I'm missing.

wow, thats a scary thought. i know id mash the brakes first instinct.

ive heard of some cars that use a fly-by-wire throttle having problems where the slightest touch to the gas pedal will get it stuck at full throttle... thats a little different though

**cammed goat** · 11-04-2009, 02:58 PM

There is a recall on, like, 4 million Toyotas right now because of this very thing. The president of Toyota Motor Company issued a public and sincere apology. I can't find the link, but this is real.

**0rion** · 11-04-2009, 02:59 PM

911 call....this sucks.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHGSWs4uJzY&NR=1[/ame]

**0rion** · 11-04-2009, 03:01 PM

I saw the apology in that first clip.....an apology isn't enough IMO. Well, it really wasn't an apology as much as a statement in the clip.

**Smittro** · 11-04-2009, 03:02 PM

I also cant see bashing the auto industy as did the callers in the first video. Just put the car in Neutral, apply brakes or coast to a stop.

**grouch0jr** · 11-04-2009, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by 0rion

911 call....this sucks.

i feel horrible for having listened to that

**Smittro** · 11-04-2009, 03:16 PM

I'm having a hard time NOT calling the driver stupid.
Reason: They're all dead clearly due to nothing more than ignorance.

Sorry..

**grouch0jr** · 11-04-2009, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by Smittro

I'm having a hard time NOT calling the driver stupid.
Reason: They're all dead clearly due to nothing more than ignorance.

Sorry..

it might be some ridiculous problem none of us are considering. he said the brakes werent working...
do and lexus cars come with the push button ignition? maybe he couldnt turn it off?

**Smittro** · 11-04-2009, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by grouch0jr

it might be some ridiculous problem none of us are considering. he said the brakes werent working...
do and lexus cars come with the push button ignition? maybe he couldnt turn it off?

But why did'nt he just put it in neutral and coast to a stop? Just does'nt make any sense..

**grouch0jr** · 11-04-2009, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by Smittro

But why did'nt he just put it in neutral and coast to a stop? Just does'nt make any sense..

no shit it doesnt make any sense, and there were multiple people in the car, at least ONE would have thought of that. something else had to be up.

**ArcticZ06** · 11-04-2009, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by Smittro

But why did'nt he just put it in neutral and coast to a stop? Just does'nt make any sense..

ditto. thats what i would do

**67CamaroRSSS** · 11-04-2009, 03:25 PM

I saw this earlier. IMHO, Darwin Award candidate 1st class for being a LEO and not knowing how to deal with this.

**pajeff02** · 11-04-2009, 03:26 PM

Jebus! That is just awful. I understand that there would be a moment of panic when you first realize the throttle is stuck... but like the announcer said at the end of the clip, pop the damn thing in neutral. Brakes or no brakes, the shifter should go into neutral on an auto trans.

**Smittro** · 11-04-2009, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by grouch0jr

no shit it doesnt make any sense, and there were multiple people in the car, at least ONE would have thought of that. something else had to be up.

I guess we'll never know.......Shame

**67CamaroRSSS** · 11-04-2009, 03:28 PM

To answer your question about this happening to me? I've had similar situations occur (engine mount broke causing runaway acceleration, brakes failing at high speed, etc) and I'm still here.

**justinmc978** · 11-04-2009, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

Jebus! That is just awful. I understand that there would be a moment of panic when you first realize the throttle is stuck... but like the announcer said at the end of the clip, pop the damn thing in neutral. Brakes or no brakes, the shifter should go into neutral on an auto trans.

guess you'd be SOL on a manual then?