Hyundai To Feature Brake-Throttle Override On All Cars

In an effort to make their car even more safe, Hyundai has announced that all its models to be sold in North America and Europe will feature brake-throttle override technology. Hyundai said that it already offers critical safety technologies to its customers before U.S. safety regulators demand it. Last April, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed that all future light vehicles should have this technology. This override mechanism enables drivers to halt the vehicle if the accelerator pedal becomes stuck. This move was the result of the unintended acceleration crisis that Toyota had faced in 2009, leading to a massive recall. The throttle-override technology effectively stops the vehicle when the brake and accelerator pedal are depressed at the same time.
This is still a proposal though. For it to be a mandate, there would have to be a public comment period. But then, Hyundai would rather not wait. Hyundai has actually started to offer this technology in 2010. The other automakers that provide brake-throttle overrides are Chrysler, GM, Ford, and Toyota. Hyundai said that it’s still possible that the throttle control will malfunction but then there are other safety electronics installed on the vehicle to prevent this.