On Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:01:52 GMT, Doug Miller wrote:
In article , (Don Klipstein) wrote:
In , Doug Miller wrote:

The thing that really stood out to me was the statement by Toyota's
president that they're going to look into programming a brake override
for the throttle.

I have only one question: WHY IN GOD'S NAME WAS THAT NOT THERE FROM THE
BEGINNING?

*Programming* a throttle override by the brake? As in relying on lack
of electronic malfunction in order to have the brake reliably apply an
override onto the throttle?

Since the override becomes necessary only in the event of a throttle
malfunction, for the override to not work would require a second malfunction.
Clearly two simultaneous malfunctions are *far* less likely than any single
malfunction.

For additional safety, a mechanical interlock could be constructed -- but the
electronic systems are more reliable.

A mechanical interlock can malfunction resulting in a runaway throttle and
be far less safe than nothing at all.