Run Away Prius a Hoax

[GeoDesign]

It appears that the run away prius story plastered all over the news is a hoax. Here is a link to Fox News which broke with this story a couple of hours ago.
Opposing Views: Runaway Toyota Prius Scare in California a Hoax?
Makes you wonder what other truths about the Toyota complaints and re-calls will reveal.
Any one remember the run away Audi's back in the 80's? Many law suits, media frenzies and re-calls that nearly put Audi out of business was found in the end to be driver error.

[usbseawolf2000]

Yes, this one is absolutely a hoax.

For the other Prius accidents that claimed of unintended acceleration.... DMV should require a road test to renew the license for drivers over 50s. Car inspections are done annually. So why not the driver (at least once every 5 years)?

[Harold Bien]

Originally Posted by usbseawolf2000

DMV should require a road test to renew the license for drivers over 50s. Car inspections are done annually. So why not the driver (at least once every 5 years)?

No need. People just need to take personal responsibility for their own actions. Accidents are inevitable - but accept them as simply that: accidents. There is no need to find fault with anyone or anything, and while blaming an inanimate object or non-personal corporation may be satisfying, it really doesn't change matters.

Drivers, like pilots, should be considered "Driver In Command". As a driver, you should take full responsibility for the actions of your vehicle including a safe outcome in the event of an operational failure.

Had the bird strike encounter resulting in a forced ditching in the Hudson come out to a different outcome, do you think the pilot would have blamed Airbus for a faulty aircraft? [Never mind the mass public, I'm talking about a pilot who understands and accepts his role as PIC]

People should have learned from that event - that in the event of an operational failure (even as unexpected as a bird strike), the operator is responsible for safely handling the situation, not the car manufacturer or anyone else (including ATC/police/911 operators).

[GeoDesign]

Very well put Harold Bien. Thank You !

[hlkc]

Hallelujah

[tstreet]

Originally Posted by GeoDesign

It appears that the run away prius story plastered all over the news is a hoax. Here is a link to Fox News which broke with this story a couple of hours ago.
Opposing Views: Runaway Toyota Prius Scare in California a Hoax?
Makes you wonder what other truths about the Toyota complaints and re-calls will reveal.
Any one remember the run away Audi's back in the 80's? Many law suits, media frenzies and re-calls that nearly put Audi out of business was found in the end to be driver error.

There was a comment on the article that said that putting the Prius in neutral going fast would destroy the engine. Is this valid. This is important because we have been advised by Toyota to put the car in neutral. At a relatively low 40 mph, I put my Prius in neutral with no apparent bad results. But would like this issue clarified form someone out there.

[nwprius]

usbseawolf So, as I understand it you want to start taking a test every five years after you arrive at the age of fifty. I assume that you believe that your ability will start downhill rapidly at that age or if you are presently that age or older you now realize your deficiencies.

For the other Prius accidents that claimed of unintended acceleration.... DMV should require a road test to renew the license for drivers over 50s. Car inspections are done annually. So why not the driver (at least once every 5 years)?[/QUOTE]

[JimN]

Originally Posted by tstreet

There was a comment on the article that said that putting the Prius in neutral going fast would destroy the engine. Is this valid. This is important because we have been advised by Toyota to put the car in neutral. At a relatively low 40 mph, I put my Prius in neutral with no apparent bad results. But would like this issue clarified form someone out there.

No, shifting to neutral does nothing at any speed.

[pdth]

Originally Posted by tstreet

There was a comment on the article that said that putting the Prius in neutral going fast would destroy the engine. Is this valid. This is important because we have been advised by Toyota to put the car in neutral. At a relatively low 40 mph, I put my Prius in neutral with no apparent bad results. But would like this issue clarified form someone out there.

Yes, you can put it in neutral at any speed and it won't hurt anything. Simply move the shift lever to the left and hold it there for about 5 seconds. You can also shut off the car by holding down the power button for about 5 seconds. In the latter case it is a bit more difficult to steer and brake, but not as big of a difference as you might expect. It's not a very heavy car.

When I first learned to drive many many moons ago, all of us were taught how to perform these steps on the cars of that century if the car should accelerate out of control, which apparently was a more common occurrence then. I tried it myself on my 2010 Prius when I first bought it last July, just to make sure I knew how. So this is nothing new. Maybe the only difference is that drivers today don't get the level of quality in Drivers Ed that we used to.

[usbseawolf2000]

Originally Posted by nwprius

usbseawolf So, as I understand it you want to start taking a test every five years after you arrive at the age of fifty. I assume that you believe that your ability will start downhill rapidly at that age or if you are presently that age or older you now realize your deficiencies.

I believe the previous study indicated that the age 50 was the magic number, if I recall. A new study has to be redone to determine that number.

My point is that there should be a limit. You can't assume all drivers of different age will have the same performance. Hardware (cars) are inspected but no the driver. They are missing out on the most important and error prone part of the car (driver).

P.S: I am still in my early 30s.