Anyone who owns a car that has been built in the last few years is likely to have a keyless ignition system. All it takes is the push of a button for them to turn their car on and off. There are many advantages to this option, including convenience and security, but some are pointing to potential safety issues that should be considered.
Keep reading to learn why some believe keyless vehicles are inherently unsafe. If you are injured in a car accident, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
The Potential for Fatal Accidents in Keyless Vehicles
If you are wondering how a keyless vehicle is more dangerous than a traditional vehicle, consider the case of an 86-year-old man who parked his car in his garage, forgot the car was running, went inside, and later died due to carbon monoxide fumes in his home. Safety experts point to the fact that this is far from an isolated fatality – at least 35 people have died in the United States due to carbon monoxide poisoning related to keyless vehicles.
There Are Two Issues Working Together
Advocates for changes to the safety rules say that there are two issues that are coming into play. First, there is the fact that today’s vehicles do not require a driver to remove the keys, and therefore it can be easier to forget to turn the car off. Second, they point out that today’s vehicles are quieter than ever before, which additionally helps people leave their vehicles on without realizing it.
Automakers Do Not Believe This is a Major Issue
Automakers do not believe keyless vehicles are an issue. In fact, Fiat Chrysler has issued a statement that they have found no increase in accidental carbon monoxide deaths or injuries that are related to push-button ignitions.
However, an expert in the auto safety industry responded to Fiat’s statement to say that keyless ignition vehicles are actually prone to rollaway incidents since they can be turned off while they remain in drive mode.
The Answer to the Problem
The good news is that there are some common-sense solutions to these issues. The main technology that could be involved is an auto-shutoff and locking feature that would engage when a driver tries to get out of their vehicle if it is in drive. Another would automatically shut off a vehicle that had been running for 30 minutes with no attention from a driver.
Have You Been Injured in a Car Accident?
If you have been injured in a car accident, then we invite you to contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 to request a free legal consultation. We are here to listen to your side of the story and provide a legal opinion on what your options are.
