The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed an update to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 124, Accelerator Control Systems, according to the AAIA Capital Report. The proposal would require manufacturers to install a Brake-Throttle Override (BTO) mechanism in all vehicles.
BTO systems would trigger the vehicle to stop should both the accelerator and brake pedals be applied at the same time, which would reduce the risk of drivers losing control of their vehicles due to the accelerator pedal sticking or the entire throttle system becoming disconnected.
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers has been pushing for regulators to take action on this issue for some time, and most manufacturers have already begun outfitting their new models with these systems, according to AAIA.
"America’s drivers should feel confident that anytime they get behind the wheel they can easily maintain control of their vehicles – especially in the event of an emergency," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "By updating our safety standards, we’re helping give drivers peace of mind that their brakes will work even if the gas pedal is stuck down while the driver is trying to brake."
This proposal would also modify the current standard by accounting for throttle disconnection during the testing procedure of all vehicles. Comments on the proposal must be submitted to NHTSA by June 15, 2012.
More information:
Read the proposal
