This conclusion is apparently based on Toyota's investigation of itself. There's a big difference between Toyota's assertion that "some" cases were the driver's fault, and Rush's claim that "nearly all" cases were the driver's fault. As much as I enjoy listening to Rush, there are some occasions when he doesn't have his facts straight.
The fact remains that Toyota DID have a software problem in which the brake system wasn't configured to override a wide open throttle. They have been quietly correcting that issue in their vehicles as part of the recall process and general maintenance.
I agree, however, that Schumer has no business grandstanding either situation, especially the iPhone controversy, since people don't generally die when their phone drops a call.
Remember that big out of control car case on the freeways in Southern California. A CHP officer finally got in front of the car and slowed it down.
The driver had their foot on the gas the whole time. The ownboard computer betrayed the owner, trying to game the system.
This one incident caused folks to go absolutely postal against Toyota.
I do believe Toyota had a problem, but in the end I don’t think more than a few instances involved serious harm or death. We’re probably talking less than ten out of hundreds of thousands of cars.
Ford had a recall about trucks that were prone to burn up. Did you hear about that? Chevy had a big recall involving hundreds of thousands of cars. Did we hear about that?
Look, as long as things are kept in perspective, it’s okay to criticize these auto manufacturers. It keeps them in line. In a segment of our society where 25-40 thousand people die each year in auto accidents, it’s tough for me to get all jacked up about ten or even one hundreds deaths.
I do want to see a Toyota fix things. I don’t want to see Toyota destroyed over it. And make no mistake about it, that’s what this was all about.
Government Motors needed shoring up, and all the stops were pulled out to facilitate that.
I’m not convinced Toyota deserved 1/10,000th the criticism they received.