Ralph Nader, consumer advocate, founder of Public Citizen. He may know more about automobile safety than almost anyone. Nader has been criticizing Detroit automakers for more than four decades since his book, Unsafe At Any Speed, a critical look at the Chevy Corvair.
Speaking out about the current Toyota fiasco, Nader believes the floor mats which have been blamed as the cause of the runaway vehicles, is a ruse. First of all, he says there is not a recall in Japan, and Japan and the U.S. use two different suppliers. He too points to problems with NHTSA which he says is operating at a budget roughly 55% of what it had in 1980. Nader wonders why Toyota is not including vehicles made before 2005 in the recalls. They were the focus of six unintentional acceleration petitions since 2003.
Nader believes the sticking throttle problem has plagued Toyota since 1986, but back then things were much simpler. Now with computerized components, they all have to be tested to get to the bottom of the problem. The more electronics, the less mechanics can deal with the problems. Nader believes the brake override system will not fix the fundamental computer problem.
If you have a Toyota and are concerned what should you do according to Nader? “Better learn to brake and put it in neutral at the same time,” he advises.
