Automobile traffic, with millions of cars and drivers on our busy streets and highways, always involves many safety concerns, even if all drivers and all vehicles operate properly and in accord with our laws.
But now, extensive concerns have been raised because of numerous reports that an alarming number of popular Toyota models have experienced sudden acceleration problems.
Imagine your shock if your car suddenly sped up uncontrollably — especially in traffic!
Would you automatically stomp on the brake pedal, shift into neutral, then turn off the ignition quickly enough to avoid some kind of horrible accident?
Toyota now has announced the recall of millions of its cars for repairs. Toyota — and Toyota drivers — surely hope that will avoid more such serious problems.
There was an initial fear that the problem might be caused by gas pedals being stuck on floor mats. Then there was concern that a part in the accelerator system was the cause. Or was there a computer problem?
In any case, Toyota has called upon owners of several models to be careful — and bring their cars to dealers’ shops for repairs that are intended to avoid any further problems, restore peace of mind — and assure safety.
There have been complaints that remedial action did not come quickly enough when problems were first identified, and that the causes were not confidently identified.
There unfortunately have been some tragedies. It is important for the problems to be sorted out and solved. The most important thing is safety. Toyota drivers should be alerted, and get their suspect models — slowly — to dealers’ shops for repairs.
All surely hope there will be solutions, for safety and peace of mind.