Toyota Recalls Lead To Calls For Car Blackboxes

Sunday, 2. May 2010

To say that Toyota have had a bit of a rough time is somewhat of an understatement and the repercussions continue on. After they dismissed cars flying across roundabouts and over cliffs, having been unable to stop following uncontrolled acceleration, as being a problem with dopey drivers being unable to fit carpet mats back in their cars after cleaning them, they have paid a hefty price. That ‘bigotgate’ moment turned out to be not only expensive for Toyota, who had to recall cars all around the world, it may end up costing all new car buyers dearly. Toyota have been fined $16.4 million by the American government for deceiving regulators about how widespread the issue with their cars really was. And following this they are now being forced to develop greater safeguards in all their new cars to prevent it from happening again. But it doesn’t stop with Toyota. After involving NASA as well as their National Academy of Science, the US government is now saying that all new cars should have more failsafe equipment fitted as well as a proposal that new cars should have a black box fitted, similar to the black box fitted to an aircraft so that faults can be more easily identified after an accident. This of course will add large sums to the cost of a new car. They are also considering a further tax on new cars that would help to fund safety agencies, that should help to kill off the motor industry, currently in a shaky position of recovery! Is this Health and Safety gone mad again or is it a necessary step, if you have a moment let me have your views? By Graham Hill