'Smart pedals' save lives

By: Drivers staff
Date: 2010-03-08

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A safety technology that has been used for more than 15 years in European cars is starting to make other car manufacturers sit up and take notice.

'Smart Pedal' technology involves an override system whereby the vehicle's computer ignores the gas pedal if it is engaged at the same time as the brake pedal. In effect, the brake takes precedence over the accelerator.

This technology would likely have prevented the recent crashes caused by the gas pedal sticking in some Toyota models. At a press conference in Japan in mid-February, Toyota President Akio Toyoda announced plans to employ this technology in all new vehicles, "the company will add a brake override system to future vehicles that will cut engine power when the accelerator and brake pedals are applied at the same time." [CNNmoney.com]

The 'Smart Pedal' safety feature is most common in German cars and has been standard in all BMW models from 2005 on. It is also standard in all Mercedes-Benz, Infiniti, Audi, Nissan and Volkswagen models.

Manufacturers not using the system include General Motors, Ford, Honda and Hyundai. The only argument put forward for not using the system seems to be that the intention of the driver should always be interpreted literally and not second-guessed. The New York Times quote Chris Naughton, a Honda spokesman as stating, “we continue to accept application of the accelerator and brake pedals as representing the driver’s intention”.

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