I’ve gotta say something even if it’s not popular, BUT this story is too damn fishy. On the cell while trying to control the car?? What’s wrong with this pic? HOW did he dial 911 while he had both hands on the steering wheel or one hand on the wheel and the other one trying to unstuck the pedal and sobbing at the same time? Just something doesn’t jive here!! And that’s my two cents worth! :)
Small detail:
There’s nothing contrary about being on a cell phone with both hands on the wheel in CA, since it’s illegal to use a cell phone which isn’t ‘hands free’ while driving here. I don’t like that our far-leftist blue state is so increasingly big brotherish this (and so many other) ways, but it’s pertinent to your point anyway...
Let’s wait to see what comes of the investigation before accusing the driver of some sort of fraud. Presumably the “black box” will not fall into the hands of Toyota to spirit away, and details of the incident will be unraveled.
That said, there should be some direct control a driver has over the mechanics of a car. There’s something very “HAL” about having a computer control the gas pedal of a car, frankly.