Mercedes crashes into Sg river

[Wishcumstrue]

same article says Prius throttle is electronic.

 

The non-electronic throttle, if the floor mat is to be blamed, would it be a simple job to quickly drag the floor mat off the throttle with the heel of the foot?

I do not know how thick the floor mat is. Do you have any experience to share?

 

AFAIK, most vehicles has electronic throttle control long before 2009 incident.

 

The widely speculated problem in the electonics reliabity was not proven even after US Dept of Transport conduct extensive testing involving NASA engineers to check Toyota's design.

 

The only clue remains is either mechanical fault or human-factor, or both.

 

Below photo is taken from the actual ES350 involved in the crash.

 

It shows top right corner of the rubber floor mat fused to the accelerator pedal due to fire after the crash.

 

Later it was found this mat was fr om a different Lexus model, and hence incorrect size for the ES350, resulting in the mat jaming onto the throtte.

 

As to why the driver didn't notice that...my only guess is in such situation when you cannot control the car acclerating over 180kph, the last thing you check is down at your foot..

 

I am sure the Merc accident investigator will also look into the human response as part of the contributing factors

 

Edited January 27, 2016 by Wishcumstrue

[Nolicense]

AFAIK, most vehicles has electronic throttle control long before 2009 incident.

 

The widely speculated problem in the electonics reliabity was not proven even after US Dept of Transport conduct extensive testing involving NASA engineers to check Toyota's design.

 

The only clue remains is either mechanical fault or human-factor, or both.

 

Below photo is taken from the actual ES350 involved in the crash.

 

It shows top right corner of the rubber floor mat fused to the accelerator pedal due to fire after the crash.

 

Later it was found this mat was fr om a different Lexus model, and hence incorrect size for the ES350, resulting in the mat jaming onto the throtte.

 

As to why the driver didn't notice that...my only guess is in such situation when you cannot control the car acclerating over 180kph, the last thing you check is down at your foot..

 

I am sure the Merc accident investigator will also look into the human response as part of the contributing factors

 

 

I also do not like the pedal covered by the mat.

one time I bought big floor mat and I place in my car but it cover the throttle.

have to step on the mat to step on the throttle, it is like got no feeling.

worse is the mat sometimes prevent me from getting positive contact on the throttle and car feel sluggish as I am not pressing the throttle hard enough through the floor mat.

[Wishcumstrue]

I also do not like the pedal covered by the mat.

one time I bought big floor mat and I place in my car but it cover the throttle.

have to step on the mat to step on the throttle, it is like got no feeling.

worse is the mat sometimes prevent me from getting positive contact on the throttle and car feel sluggish as I am not pressing the throttle hard enough through the floor mat.

 

I think this Edmund video guide about floor mat vs throttle pedal will make you think twice about placing an over-sized mat over your throttle..

 

[TameDriver]

 

Shopping centre Shouldn't have the hump located there.

One has to rev harder to clear the hump from a down sloping ramp, even if not speeding. This is dangerous, specially in locations where there're pedestrian walking across or possibility of car shooting forward into another passing vehicle.

[Nolicense]

I think this Edmund video guide about floor mat vs throttle pedal will make you think twice about placing an over-sized mat over your throttle..

 

aha..now I get it..

that's how the throttle got stuck

[Mockngbrd]

Shopping centre Shouldn't have the hump located there.

One has to rev harder to clear the hump from a down sloping ramp, even if not speeding. This is dangerous, specially in locations where there're pedestrian walking across or possibility of car shooting forward into another passing vehicle.

i agree... all carpark shd not hav hump... knn always scrape

[Ivan_06]

i agree... all carpark shd not hav hump... knn always scrape

I never get scrape leh in my past 15 years of driving.

[Nzy]

Shopping centre Shouldn't have the hump located there.

One has to rev harder to clear the hump from a down sloping ramp, even if not speeding. This is dangerous, specially in locations where there're pedestrian walking across or possibility of car shooting forward into another passing vehicle.

 

Most shopping centre carparks have that hump right at the entrance though. Especially if it is slope down. Anyway, it shouldn't be a problem since this is one of the things that we have to handle during the driving test. Everyone who passes the driving test should be competent enough to handle a hump at the entrance/exit.

[Caravan]

This is a freak accident, a one-off. No need to over-react and implement all sorts of funny ideas.

[TameDriver]

Most shopping centre carparks have that hump right at the entrance though. Especially if it is slope down. Anyway, it shouldn't be a problem since this is one of the things that we have to handle during the driving test. Everyone who passes the driving test should be competent enough to handle a hump at the entrance/exit.

Descending a ramp is different in that we are constantly tapping on brakes to maintain control.

I was mentioning the ascending ramp, upwards towards road level.

 

Assuming one drives at a constant speed upwards, there's still a need to press a bit more on accelerator to overcome the hump. The danger lies here. If driver isn't experienced or is distracted, possibility of car shooting forward ( and hitting people/vehicles ) is very real.

 

More so if hump is wet & becomes slippery.

Driver may have to rev harder to cross it; also another possibility of car launching upwards & forward suddenly out of control & the natural reaction was to step on brakes.

It was mentioned that witnesses noticed brake lights were activated....my guess would be this this possible scenario.

Most shopping centre carparks have that hump right at the entrance though. Especially if it is slope down. Anyway, it shouldn't be a problem since this is one of the things that we have to handle during the driving test. Everyone who passes the driving test should be competent enough to handle a hump at the entrance/exit.

Descending a ramp is different in that we are constantly tapping on brakes to maintain control.

I was mentioning the ascending ramp, upwards towards road level.

 

Assuming one drives at a constant speed upwards, there's still a need to press a bit more on accelerator to overcome the hump. The danger lies here. If driver isn't experienced or is distracted, possibility of car shooting forward ( and hitting people/vehicles ) is very real.

 

More so if hump is wet & becomes slippery.

Driver may have to rev harder to cross it; also another possibility of car launching upwards & forward suddenly out of control & the natural reaction was to step on brakes.

It was mentioned that witnesses noticed brake lights were activated....my guess would be this possible scenario.

Edited January 28, 2016 by TameDriver

[Shibadog]

Descending a ramp is different in that we are constantly tapping on brakes to maintain control.

I was mentioning the ascending ramp, upwards towards road level.

 

Assuming one drives at a constant speed upwards, there's still a need to press a bit more on accelerator to overcome the hump. The danger lies here. If driver isn't experienced or is distracted, possibility of car shooting forward ( and hitting people/vehicles ) is very real.

 

More so if hump is wet & becomes slippery.

Driver may have to rev harder to cross it; also another possibility of car launching upwards & forward suddenly out of control & the natural reaction was to step on brakes.

It was mentioned that witnesses noticed brake lights were activated....my guess would be this this possible scenario.

 

 

 

If you are familiar with Genting highlands hotel area, you may recall there's a steep slope up as u approach the lobby of Resort Hotel (with Coffee Bean at the lobby).

 

there used to be a big hump in the middle of the slope.

 

long time ago, I was sitting at the coffee bean al fresco area waiting for the heavy rain to stop before making my descent. Heard a loud screeching sound coming fm the slope and went to take a look. Saw a Honda (FWD) trying to cross the hump and struggling for grip. After a few tries, the driver rolled the car back a little and cheong over the hump at speed and at a slight angle.

 

fortunately there were no vehicles immediately behind him.

 

the last time I was there, I didn't see any hump. I guess they hacked it off.

[2BDriver]

Descending a ramp is different in that we are constantly tapping on brakes to maintain control.

I was mentioning the ascending ramp, upwards towards road level.

 

Assuming one drives at a constant speed upwards, there's still a need to press a bit more on accelerator to overcome the hump. The danger lies here. If driver isn't experienced or is distracted, possibility of car shooting forward ( and hitting people/vehicles ) is very real.

 

More so if hump is wet & becomes slippery.

Driver may have to rev harder to cross it; also another possibility of car launching upwards & forward suddenly out of control & the natural reaction was to step on brakes.

It was mentioned that witnesses noticed brake lights were activated....my guess would be this this possible scenario.

 

Descending a ramp is different in that we are constantly tapping on brakes to maintain control.

I was mentioning the ascending ramp, upwards towards road level.

 

Assuming one drives at a constant speed upwards, there's still a need to press a bit more on accelerator to overcome the hump. The danger lies here. If driver isn't experienced or is distracted, possibility of car shooting forward ( and hitting people/vehicles ) is very real.

 

More so if hump is wet & becomes slippery.

Driver may have to rev harder to cross it; also another possibility of car launching upwards & forward suddenly out of control & the natural reaction was to step on brakes.

It was mentioned that witnesses noticed brake lights were activated....my guess would be this possible scenario.

Another possibility that could have happened was the lady driver caught in a sudden severe cardiac arrest and lost control of herself with her foot still stepping onto the accelerator pedal dashing towards river rail and finally crashing into the river.

Edited January 28, 2016 by 2BDriver

[TameDriver]

If you are familiar with Genting highlands hotel area, you may recall there's a steep slope up as u approach the lobby of Resort Hotel (with Coffee Bean at the lobby).

 

there used to be a big hump in the middle of the slope.

 

long time ago, I was sitting at the coffee bean al fresco area waiting for the heavy rain to stop before making my descent. Heard a loud screeching sound coming fm the slope and went to take a look. Saw a Honda (FWD) trying to cross the hump and struggling for grip. After a few tries, the driver rolled the car back a little and cheong over the hump at speed and at a slight angle.

 

fortunately there were no vehicles immediately behind him.

 

the last time I was there, I didn't see any hump. I guess they hacked it off.

 

So glad that you could understand what I was describing & thanks for sharing that narrative.

 

Had personally encountered such close shaves before & thought this is good time to share with others the danger of humps; slippery ones, wrongly placed ones, including unnecessary ones.

[TameDriver]

Another possibility that could have happened was the lady driver caught in a sudden severe cardiac arrest and lost control of herself with her foot still stepping onto the accelerator pedal dashing towards river rail and finally crashing into the river.

But brake lights were activated leh. My guess would be that with the sudden launching of car after rev to grip & cross the hump, she instinctively stepped on the brakes but sadly, there's no surface to brake on. Poor lady & her daughter....May They Rest In Peace.

[Angcheek]

But brake lights were activated leh. My guess would be that with the sudden launching of car after rev to grip & cross the hump, she instinctively stepped on the brakes but sadly, there's no surface to brake on. Poor lady & her daughter....May They Rest In Peace.

I dont think its possible for them fly over the kerb ... its 2 lane width away

[2BDriver]

But brake lights were activated leh. My guess would be that with the sudden launching of car after rev to grip & cross the hump, she instinctively stepped on the brakes but sadly, there's no surface to brake on. Poor lady & her daughter....May They Rest In Peace.

One of my staff father was killed in a freak car accident, his father suffered cardiac arrest in driving and crashed into concrete pillar, his mother survived and reveal how the accident happened before impact.

[Shibadog]

Tyres botak ? More risk maneuvering the bends down Genting, than crossing the hump. Hope he is using engine brake correctly.

 

 

for FWD car, the driven wheels hv less grip when going upslope due to weight transfer. Upslope +  hump + wet  

 

botak or old tyres might have been a factor too.

[Nzy]

Descending a ramp is different in that we are constantly tapping on brakes to maintain control.

I was mentioning the ascending ramp, upwards towards road level.

 

Assuming one drives at a constant speed upwards, there's still a need to press a bit more on accelerator to overcome the hump. The danger lies here. If driver isn't experienced or is distracted, possibility of car shooting forward ( and hitting people/vehicles ) is very real.

 

More so if hump is wet & becomes slippery.

Driver may have to rev harder to cross it; also another possibility of car launching upwards & forward suddenly out of control & the natural reaction was to step on brakes.

It was mentioned that witnesses noticed brake lights were activated....my guess would be this this possible scenario.

 

Hump or no hump, will have their own dangers la. Some carparks upslope with no hump, some cars cannot see oncoming traffic and still dash out without looking. With the hump, they'll slow down but then occasionally there will be a driver who cannot clear the hump safely.

 

I guess most people have no problems with the hump since its quite rare such an incident happens. The biggest problem with the hump will be cars scraping it.