Did I read correctly, somewhere, that 16 people have died as a result of Toyota gas pedals? If this is true, we have yet another "crisis" that exists only in the media. From memory I can recall two interesting stats:
In the U.S.,
--14,000 people die each year from falling down
--25,000 people die each year from the ordinary, seasonal flu
If the number 16 for deaths resulting from "malfunctioning" Toyota accelerators is correct, this is not an issue and should not warrant any discussion, recall, or legal activity.
Didn't we go through something like this with Audi?
I understand Gas Pedal, Part Deux began in earnest when an off-duty California highway patrol officer died. Apparently as the car rocketed down the highway, a family member inside the car called 911 and explained that the car was accelerating out of control.
It's hard to know what happened exactly because the mass media is more interested in selling content than giving us the truth, but why the hell didn't that guy simply turn off the key? Sure, the steering might have locked, but putting it one click forward would have unlocked it again without restarting the engine. Even if he was too panicked to unlock the steering after killing the engine, a massive slowdown would have ensued, and if he'd gone off the highway at a much slower speed due to locked steering, that whole family would likely have survived.
Something in this Toyota "scandal" is missing, as it's being reported and discussed, and it's the same thing that's been missing from our culture for about forty years now: personal responsibility.
7 comments:
Yes another manufactured "crisis" doesn't just make you pine for the exploding Pinto Days??
Good question. How many Pintos actually exploded? I hope it was more than 16.
Regarding your comment on turning the key off I agree.. Plus, new vehicles dont lock the steering wheel.. Sure you would not have power brakes and power steering but you would certainly have more control than a car with the accelerator mashed to the floor..
If even one life can be saved due to this tragedy and scandal of epic proportions, then it will be worth it.
What a cruel, uncaring and unfeeling man you must be, Mr. Long.
I think I know who you are, "Regeine". Thanks for stopping by.
Mondotti -- right. Individuals must have some responsibility for their own lives.
I had the same thought, but many Toyotas now have keyless ignition (the start button works when the key is in proximity to the car), and that is apparently part of the problem. No doubt the media hype is overwrought and irresponsible, though.
The median age of people reporting unintended acceleration is 60.5. Fully 1/3 are over 70. This is for the current media event. This is Audi Redux, statistically.
As with the Audi and Toyota cases and all other mass produced vehicles, an incredibly small percentage will suffer mechanical problems.
Allegedly 16 people have died in Toyotas with the "problem". 14,000 people per year in the U.S. from falling down, and 25,000 die from the flu -- ordinary, seasonal flu. Since I haven't shed a single tear for those people, I'm not going to worry about something that kills 16 people. It is not an issue that merits much discussion.
What does merit some discussion is a chronology of facts:
1) Hussein took over GM, against my will.
2) Soon after, Toyota's "problem" came to light.
3) Soon after, one of Toyota's main parts suppliers (and for some other car companies) is under federal investigation for violating anti-trust laws.
4) Soon after, Orange County, Calif. announced a government lawsuit against Toyota.
I don't believe in coincidences. I am wrong from time to time, because there are coincidences in the world. I am right 99% of the time, though.
A question that I find interesting is, how would it affect Hussein to have GM fail? Republicans would make that a signature failure for Hussein and all Democrats for the next several elections. Nationalizing an American car company and having a big failure would be catastrophic.
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