Discussion Assignment 3.1

Automotive

In 2009, Toyota accelerator pedals began mysteriously getting

stuck, at times trapping panicked drivers in out-of-control cars

that tragically crashed.

But was the problem really the car?

It’s the subject of famed writer Malcolm Gladwell’s most recent

“Revisionist History” podcast, a series that explores the

overlooked angles from some of history’s biggest stories.

Gladwell’s conclusion provides a poignant lesson for today’s

automakers and drivers — but unfortunately it’s one that often

isn’t heard.

Here’s the quick backstory on the “sticky pedal” crisis: In 2009, a

man phoned 911 to report that his accelerator pedal was stuck

and he couldn’t get the car to stop. He said his brakes weren’t

working. Ultimately, his car crashed into another and then

plunged into a ravine. Everyone inside the vehicle was killed.

The 911 call went viral, and the scandal broke wide open. Over

the next five years, an estimated 90 people died in Toyotas that

mysteriously accelerated. Toyota recalled millions of vehicles but

was accused of concealing information about the flawed pedals. In

Meagan

Parrish

Senior

Reporter

MeaganParrish

Full Bio >

Page 1 of 6The 2009 Toyota Accelerator Scandal That Wasn’t What It Seemed

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2014, the company paid $1.2 billion to avoid prosecution for

covering up information about problems with “unintended

acceleration” that the FBI said Toyota “knew was deadly.”

Revisionist Hi…

Blame Game

What happens when hysteria overtakes common sense?

00:40:52

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At the time, two theories emerged to explain why these pedals

suddenly had minds of their own. One involved software

malfunctions, while the other blamed floor mats that slid around

and pinned the pedals down.

But according to Gladwell, the software explanation doesn’t hold

up considering the fact that multiple tests have shown that even

when a driver is pushing the throttle to the floor, hitting the

brakes will stop the car.

And an investigation by the Department of Transportation in 2011

found that floor mats only accounted for a small fraction the

accidents.

The real culprit? Human error. More often than not, drivers who

reported that their accelerators were stuck were inadvertently

flooring it and thinking they were pressing the brakes. Data from

many of the “black boxes” from cars involved in incidents of

unintended acceleration showed that in most cases, the brakes

were never even touched.

The drivers were often in vehicles that were new or unfamiliar to

them, or for whatever reason, they just got confused.

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(AP Photo)

One of the more frustrating aspects of this whole fiasco was the

media’s response. Instead of alerting drivers to the potential

dangers of confusing the accelerator with the brake — which could

happen to any of us — the focus was on Toyota’s cover up, the

scary and unpredictable software in cars, and of course, the floor

mats.

This distinction matters a great deal as we head into an era of

self-driving vehicles.

Just over a month ago, a man behind the wheel of a “self-driving”

Tesla was killed when his car crashed into a tractor trailer. For

many, the focus was understanding why the technology “failed,”

and there’s speculation that the sun’s glare might have thrown it

off.

But it’s critical to note how human error played a major role.

According to Tesla, the car is designed for the driver to keep their

hands on the wheel at all times, even though it’s equipped with

systems to help the driver if something goes wrong. In this case,

that didn’t happen.

Morning Tech @mrapptech

How Tesla Autopilot Crash Affected Public Opinion on

Self-Driving Cars …fortune.com/2016/07/29/tes

10:51 AM - Jul 31, 2016

How the Tesla Autopilot Crash Has Affected Public Opi…

Awareness has changed, at least.

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In a way, it might seem like a situation with unavoidable

consequences: automakers can beg drivers to pay attention in

these “self-driving” cars as much as they want, but at the same

time, these autopilot features will probably lull most drivers into a

dangerous state of complacency.

It’s an arrangement that feels destined for at least a few

disasters. (Especially considering how same scenario has

impacted aviation — like in the case of Flight 447, which tragically

crashed into the Atlantic Ocean on route from Rio de Janeiro to

Paris.)

This is why an open and honest conversation about the role of

human error is so vital. Too often, drivers are expecting car

manufacturers and vehicles to make it easy. But as cars and

automakers are get smarter, drivers have to wise up as well.

(Image credit: Tesla Motors)

Last month, another driver using Tesla’s autopilot feature

crashed.

According to a report of the incident, the car alerted the driver to

take the wheel due to uncertain road conditions but he didn’t —

luckily no one was injured. A trooper on the scene decided not to

cite the driver, who blamed the accident on the car. And now the

feds are launching an investigation on the limits of the

technology.

Hopefully they’ll be factoring in the biggest limitation: humans.

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Until we understand the new technology in cars and stop taking it

for granted, humans can’t be expected to handle it safely. And

that means an honest discussion about why we make errors and

for whatever reason, don’t put our hands on the wheel when we

should.

Automotive

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MarkYTH • 2 years ago

Many people don't pay attention and behave responsibly when they don't have "Autopilot", look at

the millions being spent in No Texting and Driving campaigns, don't even get me started on Drink-

Driving.

What would any reasonable person expect when giving the same people an opportunity to pay

less attention?

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• Reply •

Dennis Clardy • 2 years ago

I have to agree with this blogger! I worked in the automotive industry, for a number of years, and

this whole scare had an unusual "air" to it! Very much like blaming tires for top-heavy SUVs rolling

over. LOL

2

• Reply •

publius • 2 years ago

This is a perfect example of how the liberal media immediately think all corporations are evil scum

and responsible for every ill in the world instead of doing their homework. Is it just laziness,

stupidity, incompetence, or malicious intent on the part of the media? As has been proven many

times, if you step on the gas and the brakes all the way simultaneously, all modern cars WILL

stop.

1

MarkYTH • 2 years ago> publius

Remember though that we use 1 foot to control accelerator and gas, not 2. If you did not

grow up with manual transmissions, the whole heel-toe skill is unknown. In a panic

situation I can see the fact that you push the wrong pedal occurring occasionally, but

again, any halfway competent driver would hear the engine whine and check because you

had to take the action to jam your foot down. I don't know about Toyotas, but in my truck

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