sarahmarden...this is not a news piece, it's a blog. I would assume that these types of "features" will be available on the free content.

Operator error. The accelerator pedal probably got stuck under the floor mat. 99% of the time, that's what "unintended acceleration" is.

JREwing78 is right. She should have just put the car into neutral. Also, most newer cars have emergency brake assist, which applies full break power when braking quickly. The brakes will stop the car, but they have to be held down while slowing, and the engine is screaming. Turning off the car while moving also turns off the power stearing and brakes. Not something I would do, but it's a last resort.

so... this is the kind of fascinating, local content you will be charging for?

JREwing78 - I checked it out and you're right. A lost fob would be a safety issue so the car will remain running but you won't be able to start it again if you turn it off. My fob just opens the door at an ever decreasing distance...

I didnt see any brake lights....the story (on gma) later said the shop couldnt get the vehicle to act up. hmmmmmmmm

For clarification:
- Throwing the keys out of the window will do NOTHING. The car will continue traveling until it is shut down, then you won't be able to restart. It does NOT automatically shut down if it loses communication with the key fob.

- Pushbutton-start cars typically have an engine-kill function activated by holding down the Start/Stop button for several seconds until the engine dies. I doubt the driver knew about this function.

- The transmission in all vehicles with an automatic allow the gear lever to be shoved into neutral from drive, whether or not the gear lever has a button to depress when shifting normally, and whether or not said button has been depressed. With a manual, simply push in the clutch, or (if the clutch doesn't work) shove the gear lever into neutral.

- The brakes will overpower the engine as long as you slam them on full-strength, and DO NOT let them go again. What the driver probably did was apply them only partway or didn't keep them depressed fully until the vehicle came to a complete stop. This caused them to overheat and burn out.

- Driver's education in this country is an utter joke. I got no education whatsoever, let alone practice, on what to do in a runaway-car scenario. I guarantee the driver in this story didn't either.

In industry, machines that have computer control have a big red button with the words "Emergency Stop" printed on or near it. OSHA requires them. Why doesn't NHTSA?

Yes I get it. I like it. Get it?

She should have invested
in the optional seat ejection system.

g-fan - What a hoot!

frogger - You missed the point. You still have to buy all that jazz up front. It all adds to the initial cost of the vehicle. Plus the cost of the extended warranty. It all adds to the price of the vehicle. Get it?

I'll stick with my rollerskate key.

Joker, My wife has those buttons. But it usually takes a couple beers.

I couldn't live without the windshield washers in my fully equipped, tricked-out Yugo.

My brag package includes an ashtray and a sound system enhanced by a five foot, manually operated telescopic antenna that pulls in the signal from the I-90 informational AM broadcast all the way out to Old Humes Road.

Funny that she had a push button start. If you look at the 'other stuck accelerator stories involving other car models in recent years', I think you will find a similar system.

imjustsaying- good advice on the key. At first it sounds funny. It will stop working with out the key dected anymore.
You can also pull out the push button plug if you chose to go back to the inserting of fob instead- still no metal key persay but the fob goes in vs push button.

saxcat- I like these features and just put an extended warranty on it.

Saxcat I agree however I do like the pushbuttons to raise and lower the convertable top

All the "computer controlled gadgets" are such a waste. I would bet that car owners (and manufacturers through warranty) spend more money fixing sensors than they do fixing things that are actually wrong with the cars. It has jacked up the price of cars so high it is ridiculous. They can take their anti-lock brakes, traction control, emissions controls, electric windows, locks, and mirrors, back-up sensors, air bags, keyless entry, auto closing doors, on-star, anti-theft devices, etc.etc.etc. and shove them up their tailpipes.

Makes me appreciate more the love for the older vehicles and why I still drive an older vehicle. I just do not trust all the computer controlled gadgets on the new vehicle. And at my age I will probably be to old to drive or passed on before I am forced to drive a newer one which at that time will be the older ones. Ha Ha.

MyBlueEquinox - That might not work either if the car is malfunctioning. Didn't someone say on here once that if you're in this situation with a pushbutton start that you should throw your keys out the window? You know, to break the radio link.

Makes me appreciate even more that my vehicle has OnStar. If this were to ever happen to me, a call to OnStar and they can slow my vehicle to a safe stop.