Hyundai continues its practice of providing critical safety technologies to its customers well before government mandates come into effect with all models now offering brake pedal electronic throttle override capability. With virtually all cars using electronic throttle control today, there remains the remote possibility for an unforeseen electronic throttle control malfunction, causing a vehicle to accelerate contrary to driver input. Although very unlikely due to various built-in electronic safety protocols, unforeseen circumstances could still exist that could cause this type of malfunction.
“With Hyundai’s brake pedal throttle override capability, any brake pedal input by the driver, even with a runaway throttle condition, completely overrides any throttle malfunction,” said Robert Babcock, director of certification and compliance affairs for Hyundai’s technical center. “It is no longer possible to have increasing engine power once the brake pedal is depressed by the driver. This adds a reassuring, incremental safeguard of control for Hyundai drivers.”
The government mandate for brake pedal throttle override capability, a component of FMVSS 124 (Accelerator Control Systems), has been under consideration by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) since April 16, 2012. However, its final approval and subsequent timing have yet to be determined. Hyundai development teams have been less concerned about final government mandate timing, focusing instead on the immediate safety and assurance of their customers.
Beginning with May production, fully 100 percent of all U.S. Hyundai models now provide the assuring safeguard of brake pedal throttle override capability. This advanced safety feature implementation by Hyundai remains many months and possibly years before the final government mandate, if approved.