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StumbleLETTER TO THE EDITOR:
Correlation of age and accidents being overlooked
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 | 2:02 a.m.
I am a retired engineer formerly trained and qualified to conduct industrial accident investigations at the Nevada Test Site. The Las Vegas Sun’s Sunday article about the Toyota Camry “acceleration” accident was disappointing because it did not thoroughly delve into the issue of driver age. There is a gorilla in the room that no one wants to discuss. The vast majority of drivers reporting Toyota “acceleration problems” are from 61 to 80 years old.
Yet the average age of Toyota owners/drivers is 46.6, which is slightly younger than the average age of all automobile owners.
This large age disparity is strong and convincing evidence that there is some kind of human factor involved and not a mechanical/electronic failure. If it were a mechanical or electronic failure, then acceleration problems would occur equally to drivers of all ages, not mostly to senior drivers. I will be 60 on my next birthday, so don’t think of this as “senior bashing.”
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An awful lot of seniors drive Fords and Chevy's, probably more so than they drive Toyotas, and there doesn't seem to be a rash of acceleration problems in those makes.
Although, having been stuck behind a Crown Vic or two in the fast lane,with their blinkers constantly flashing for a left turn that never comes, I sort of wish they did.
I have to agree with John. Toyota is one of the most popular car makes and because they tend to last a long time, they're correctly seen as a wise purchase to older drivers who rate reliability over any other feature of a car. "Cockpit error," as it's known among pilots, is the most common reason for unintended acceleration in motor vehicles, not sticky gas pedals or faulty electronics. Other countries require driver re-testing when a person reaches a certain age, the USA has been notoriously delinquent in this matter, probably because most of our legislators are of an advanced age themselves.
I would like to second rhooster's motion that he "... never speak at all ...".
All in favor say "Aye".
I'd say "bad" drivers can be found in all age groups, and ethnicity has a factor in it, too.
Ever watch the movie "Crash"?
The Las Vegas Sun's Sunday article about the Toyota Camry "acceleration" accident was disappointing because it did not thoroughly delve into the issue of driver age.
Sorry John, the Sun does not practice delving - at any level. If it's got a liberal slant, the article goes out - period - no delving allowed.