Was the runaway Prius really a runaway driver? More questions about Toyota’s acceleration problems
Are runaway Toyotas just a figment of imagination?
Last week a runaway Prius barreling down Interstate 8 seemed to act as a speeding exclamation point on the sudden, uncontrollable acceleration problems plaguing many Toyota models. This morning the case isn’t as clear cut: federal investigators looking over the Prius belonging to James Sikes, which hit speeds of over 90 mph before Mr. Sikes and a CHP officer could bring the car to a stop, could not recreate the stuck accelerator phenomenon. When investigators from the government and Toyota pressed hard on the brake pedal and the accelerator at the same time the Prius gasoline engine shut down, according to a draft congressional memo. As the Toyota saga continues, more questions are being raised. One UCLA professor emeritus of psychology even authored an op-ed asserting that the malfunction is most likely an issue of the driver thinking they’re pressing the brake when they’re really slamming the gas pedal. Is it the car or the driver?
Guests:
Kurt Bardella, spokesman for Congressman Darrell Issa, R – 49th District, which includes parts of Riverside and San Diego counties
Neal Boudette, Detroit Bureau Chief, Wall Street Journal
Richard Schmidt, professor emeritus of cognitive psychology at UCLA
- Patt Morrison for March 15, 2010
- Was the runaway Prius really a runaway driver? More questions about Toyota’s acceleration problems
- "The History of White People"
- From deep in the heart of Texas to California classrooms: Textbook Wars
- Andy Garcia's "City Island"
Also on this episode
Events
Comedy Congress Live
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
7:30 p.m.
- 9 p.m.
The comedic material emanating from Washington D.C., and state capitols across the country, is enough to make any sitcom writer jealous, even if most of that comedy is unintentional. Our motto on Comedy Congress is that just when politics makes you want to cry, it’s usually best to laugh.
... » More info
