Widow Sues Toyota Over Prius Death Crash

Did you see the Senate hearing today? These cars are behaving very oddly and have profound computer issues, though it is happening to a very low number of units.
There was testimony today of a vehicle attempting to start itself. One woman threw her 3 day old Lexus in reverse at 100 mph with both feet on the brake and it continued to gain speed.
Check out Car and Driver online. They claim that a vehicle under hard braking should be able to overwhelm a 500 bhp engine no problem.
These events are verifiable because most or all cars have event recorders in them today, if I understand correctly. Toyota has huge problems.

Because a class action lawsuit is more effective against a corporate giant and they take time to put together. Years...

Like any car, the first thing you want to do if a sudden, out of control acceleration were to occur is to attempt to get the car into neutral. This is the easiest thing to do and it will always work if you drive a stick (I'm trying to picture a situation in which it will would not work in an automatic and I honestly can't think of one). You will blow your engine (if say the throttle is stuck open) but the car will be easy to stop. If that doesn't work, then yes, do the ignition. Hell, just riding the brakes will bring the car to a stop even with the throttle is stuck full open (Full bore, laying on those buggers like their is no tomorrow).

On a lot of newer vehicles, most notably some Prius models (as far as I recall..), some BMW's, and many Mercedes Benz's, the transmission control is more of a toggle switch on the steering column. On some of these models, the car won't allow you to shift into neutral and turn off the vehicle, or it will automatically slam it into park, which could be even more disastrous. I suppose the best thing to do in a freak situation like this would be to put it in N and keep it running.

Bullshit. An interlock that that prevents a car from being shifted into neutral. Just rationally think about that for a moment. I have heard this now about 12 times since this Toyota recall. What exact purpose would this interlock serve? It makes as much sense as a car with an interlock that opens the doors open at high speeds.

So no, there is no interlock in cars that are sold in the US...or foreign markets for that matter, that prevent the car from being switch into neutral.

bahahahaha... right. Or tires that explode and a sterring wheel that locks up when you go over 60.

I believe in BMW's it's called iDrive, and yes, it's real. I worked at a detail shop for about 5 years and they are real. We had problems with them automatically shifting into park when the ignition was off, as well as shifting into park when the door is open. The safety feature is that you cannot accidentally bump it into neutral gear and have it roll down your driveway.

Really? How does the computer system used to control the climate control, the audio, Navigation, and the communication systems affect the transmission? Please fill me in on make, model, and year of these vehicles please.

Ever since this recall started, the internet has been filled with experts that have their own fantastic understanding of automobiles. This is hilarious.

I should be very clear on my original post. You never want to take the ignition to the full off position. If you kill the electrical system, you will lose power steering and as debice80 mentioned, you could lock your steering up. Neutral is the way to go...unless you have one of these super internet cars that have crazy illogical features.

I'm still confused...how did you mistake the cd player for the transmission?

I just busting your balls bro. Having worked on cars, industrial power plants, and random other stuff, it always amazes me the ignorance of the common consumer (Please note, I'm not calling you ignorant at all. You know what your talking about...I just felt like razzing you a bit). My real annoyance is with how Toyota is botching the PR battle, although granted, they don't have the recall experience as US auto makers. I am seriously sorry if I annoyed you by any of my comments.