<VV> Unintended Acceleration

[Dave Keillor]

I've experienced unintended acceleration several times.  One example was
in my brand new, "hand built", 1969 Corvair.  It had (has) the 140
engine and the assembly chimps got the linkage installation messed up.
Under WOT conditions it would occasionally get jammed at WOT.  Turning
the key to the OFF position and depressing the clutch wasn't too hard.
The fix was installing the linkage properly.

Second example is that I occasionally experience unintended acceleration
when driving my wife's Miata.  The accelerator and brake pedal are
placed at the same level and close together for easy heel-and-toe.  When
pulling up to a stop sign my size 12 shoes sometimes depress both pedals
simultaneously (I rarely drive her car).  The car doesn't accelerate,
but the unexpectedly revving engine initially makes it seem that way.
Again, the solution is simple -- move foot off accelerator.

The Audi experience allowed us to get a brand new Audi 4000s at a $7,000
discount back in 1987 (cars were a lot cheaper then).  The entire Audi
line had been painted with the same black brush as the 5000.

The problem is two-fold: 1) Cocoon-like cars that totally isolate the
driver from the environment and are expected to do everything for you,
and 2) Drivers who have absolutely no training or experience in car
handling, especially in emergency situations.

Dave Keillor