Is the Brake-Throttle Override System Dangerous?

Are Brake-Throttle Override Systems dangerous? It is, according to President Donald Trump’s administration. So much so that it plans to drop the proposed rule requiring automakers to install this technology feature in all its vehicles.

According to Autoblog.com, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proposed that Brake-Throttle Override Systems were responsible for the “unintended sudden acceleration incidents in Toyota Motor Corp vehicles.”

What is the Brake-Throttle Override System?

The Brake-Throttle Override System cuts engine power in case the driver presses both the accelerator and brake pedals simultaneously. Once activated, the system reduces engine power, although the engine does not stall or turn off its power. You can go back to normal acceleration mode once you release the brake pedal and press down on the accelerator pedal.

It can be remembered that Toyota recalled more than 10 million vehicles globally due to unintended acceleration issues that happened in the years 2019 and 2010. A careful review by the government saw that mechanical interference like floor mats was to be blamed for the unintended acceleration, and not electronic glitches.

Toyota paid a total of USD1.2 billion to the U.S. Justice Department after making deceptive statements, concealing the extent of its sudden acceleration problems to American consumers.