December 2009, Fatal Prius Accident

3 seconds when you are accelerating out of control is a long time. Also, if it is part of the system that is malfunctioning, it might not work.

That is why having a "real" hardwired kill switch could be an alternative.

If the brakes require power or other now dead system to work, killing the power might then require a seperate mechanical system to allow safe braking when car has been put in "emergancy shut down" mode.

A real "fail safe" car would be limited to 20 mph or so...

 

Just teach people to use the right buttons. Put the damn thing in reverse if you have to damn it. lol

It's really quite simple. I swear this world is becoming more and more a reflection of the movie Idiocracy!

 

A lot of people don't think about think about the importance of hard-wired switches that are failsafe. In this case, I think people's repetition of "just put it in neutral" is a testament to the reliability of the electronics in the car. In the case where there is a major software fault (not that I am saying this is a problem) the shifter may not respond to input - it is a software controller, after all, and is not connected to a mechanical linkage.

 

Another problem with a 'Master Kill Switch' concept is that there is no precedent for such a contraption, and thus no muscle memory for how to activate it in the event of an emergency. We could always turn off the ignition switch and the ICE cars would reliably stop. There is the beginning of 'muscle memory' wrt the Power button, but there are different operating modes for the same button/switch (activation with foot on the brake pedal, activation without foot on the brake pedal, to name 2).

I am not against the concept of a master switch whose sole purpose is to turn things on and off; but unless you can make it simple to operate and the operator has to develop something approaching muscle memory in its operation, you will likely be substituting one problem for another.

 

When they say "lawsuit" I start saying to myself, "...right."

 

I think we are starting to see a new generation of cars which requires an entire new learning to successfully operate. More "start buttons", radar control braking, etc, require a second level of training. People might be comfortable with using the start button to start, but in a panic situation, have they thought through and worked out how all these options work ? Not every one is tech savvy or goes looking for how all this stuff really works. It's too late to read the manual when you are going 100 mph and don't know that just pressing the start button does not stop the car, like it does when you are parked.

 

Its a very sad state of affairs. The regulators did not seem to regulate well in the unintended acceleration case. Toyota did not act well and postponed a solution for many years. It is when this happens that lawsuits are the last recourse. And where their are legitimate suites, their is blood in the water, and large numbers of frivolous suits follow.

I see no legitimate excuse for toyota not having a lockout on their non-hybrid cars years ago.

I thought the hybrids (prius, camry) had a lockout override. I still think the accellerators are safe, but I do have a shadow of a doubt. IMHO requiring 3 seconds on a switch is a bad interface in an emergency. A hard cut off switch of depressing the brakes to a certain level is definitely more intuitive and would work on the conventional cars.

 

That's why people should read the manual when they get home. And if that is too much reading to do, the quick-start guide (or whatever it's called) is available. However, I get the feeling most people are too lazy to even consult the quick-start guide.

 

Agreed. And that is why they put student pilots in emergency situations so when a real emergency arises and a flight instructor isn't to your right you are prepared to handle the situation. Personally, Toyota (all auto makers for that matter) would benefit from more "checkride" type education for buyers. I don't think it would hurt for buyers to demonstrate basic proficiency with the vehicle before taking it home. After all, car technology is changing so something is going to have to give.

 

Does someone knows what to do if you are involved in an accident with your prius?

 

Yes. Call the Editor of the LA Times, the Today Show and the CHP (in that order). Then call your insurance company, a lawyer and don't forget the ambulance.

 

What about a rocket powered ejection seat!

"Oh no, unexpected acceleration!" [click... fwoooosh!]
"To infinity, and beyond!"