LetemEatCake

Champion Author
Oklahoma City
Posts:2,987 Points:766,760 Joined:Mar 2008
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Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 9:57:07 PM
Houckster from Atlanta...
Excellent, and thoughful comments. But you forgot one thing.....Gas_buzzer has forgotten the President's name! Must be a case of early onset Alzheimers or something a kin to it!
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Houckster

Champion Author
Atlanta
Posts:7,795 Points:657,410 Joined:Sep 2003
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Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 7:38:39 AM
GAS_BUZZER writes: Obammie, we are tired if the "Nanny State" BS!!! Stick it where the sun does not shine! ____ Is there no end to this brain-dead drivel? GASBUZZER, please grow up. **** As pointed out in the article, the "smart pedal" will be useful. First, because there may very well be a defect in the electronics that does cause unintended acceleration, we should have this new "smart pedal" just as with the the Audi problem where the first "smart pedal" was introduced and which is universal now.
These problems simply illustrate a larger need. One of the primary things that the automotive electronics must be able to do better is to prevent contradictory events such as acceleration and braking inputs at the same time. Another thing that vehicles need for safety is proximity sensors that would permit the electronics to override inputs that would lead to an accident. For example, a person in stop'n'go traffic who accidently presses the accelerator when just off the bumper of the car in front.
But the value of programming cars to avoid contradictory inputs goes further. If this programming had been part of the electronics, this problem would have likely been caught before the cars that Toyota has recalled ever reached the road. And even if it hadn't been caught prior to selling the cars, the software could have revealed that such an event had occurred providing far more effective feedback than what Toyota has to work with now.
Done right modern electronics and the programming that operates it have a huge potential for making travel safer. Done wrong, and cars can be less safe. The Obama administration's proposal is a step in the right direction but not a big enough one.
[Edited by: Houckster at 3/13/2010 8:40:13 AM EST]
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1006

All-Star Author
Birmingham
Posts:929 Points:1,027,495 Joined:Apr 2008
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Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:49:55 AM
this is editorial - let's get back to 'gas news'
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honda0105

Champion Author
Tallahassee
Posts:15,259 Points:1,141,225 Joined:Nov 2008
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Message Posted: Mar 12, 2010 8:47:38 PM
the problem is that everyone is whining about Toyota, that's the problem when you're #1. Considering how many Toyotas are currently on the road, I don't think it's near as big an issue as the media makes it out to be. But then they would not sell papers if they didn't smear someone's reputation ...
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Gas_Buzzer

Champion Author
South Carolina
Posts:11,848 Points:2,164,830 Joined:Sep 2005
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Message Posted: Mar 12, 2010 5:48:12 AM
Obammie, we are tired if the "Nanny State" BS!!! Stick it where the sun does not shine!
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MyVue08

Champion Author
Columbus
Posts:4,917 Points:883,835 Joined:May 2009
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Message Posted: Mar 12, 2010 1:28:39 AM
Duplicate Article!
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NavyStore

Champion Author
Seattle
Posts:3,768 Points:1,658,815 Joined:Aug 2005
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Message Posted: Mar 12, 2010 12:07:43 AM
I still don't do imports.
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FastAndy

Champion Author
Indianapolis
Posts:4,406 Points:1,576,700 Joined:Jun 2007
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 10:59:25 PM
If those auto companies can do it then Toyota can do it.
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Number43

Champion Author
Lexington
Posts:6,292 Points:1,189,880 Joined:Oct 2008
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 10:55:43 PM
Sounds just the the excuse that the rape victim was asking for it. I saw them Audi's vibrate and shift into gear. It was not driver error. If the car is made right then the factory and their shrill's don't have to make up lies and excuses. Toyota was first on my list for thwe next car but now I will never own one. I forgive mistakes but I don't forgive excuses and lies.
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ItsMorph

Champion Author
Grand Rapids
Posts:30,079 Points:2,720,100 Joined:Mar 2004
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 10:52:21 PM
THE Obama administration? Were their questions of others?
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toyrunner300

Champion Author
Calgary
Posts:3,219 Points:1,214,835 Joined:Jan 2007
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 10:47:46 PM
Where are you going to find them swlincdrv?
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jjw0608

Champion Author
Milwaukee
Posts:5,198 Points:1,364,990 Joined:Nov 2005
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 10:46:53 PM
Whats this;another excuse?
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MidNJ

Champion Author
New Jersey
Posts:4,623 Points:738,520 Joined:Sep 2009
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 10:44:44 PM
Personally, I only like news that is fair and balanced.
So, why does the "Gas Prices" site allow news from the biased New York Times to be posted here?
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Skychief

Veteran Author
Florida
Posts:459 Points:277,390 Joined:May 2006
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 10:38:42 PM
What a dumb idea.
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swlincdrv

Veteran Author
Lincoln
Posts:375 Points:219,115 Joined:Oct 2008
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 10:35:11 PM
How about we just have smart drivers.
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judgemobile

Champion Author
Ohio
Posts:5,245 Points:1,983,145 Joined:Nov 2005
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 10:31:18 PM
O' Bummer learns from Toyoda. The dumb learning from the sneaky.
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altima2008

Champion Author
Philadelphia
Posts:5,793 Points:1,272,305 Joined:Apr 2008
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 10:28:13 PM
The Nobama administration needs to stay out of the auto industry and try and fix the other problems in this economy like getting us fair gas prices, creating jobs stuff like that!
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TBRR

Champion Author
Jacksonville
Posts:2,173 Points:364,915 Joined:Dec 2007
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 10:27:40 PM
too many drivers use their left foot for the brake and their right foot for the gas pedal. if the pedals are close enough you can catch both with one foot or panic and miss the brake and hit the gas which i think happens in most cases but who would admit it. quick solution is to just turn off the car and let it slow down, of course you had better be strong enough to over ride the power steering.
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Lukus

Champion Author
Halifax
Posts:6,021 Points:1,216,385 Joined:Nov 2007
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 10:13:29 PM
Toyota's problems are probably in software.
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DosEquis26

Champion Author
Chicago
Posts:3,758 Points:1,541,590 Joined:Jun 2006
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 10:07:29 PM
the New york Times is saying that drivers are idiots. so much for the NY Times.
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panama303

All-Star Author
Denver
Posts:790 Points:267,020 Joined:Jan 2005
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 10:05:00 PM
hmmm. I cannot buy this theory. I suspect that most drivers know how to hit the correct pedal. Maybe in a panic they would hit the wrong pedal momentarily. If you have owned a car especially the same car for a period of time, you know where the pedals are. And if you were accelerating because your foot was on the gas pedal, your reaction would be to pull it off. Why are we always played for fool?
[Edited by: panama303 at 3/11/2010 11:06:02 PM EST]
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CrazyQ

Champion Author
Washington
Posts:21,143 Points:2,602,410 Joined:Aug 2004
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 10:03:50 PM
Aw come on. rather than putting more gadgets computer controlled in the car, how about having drivers pay attention. or maybe better quality control in the factories - or computer programmers.
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wiwhite87

Champion Author
Milwaukee
Posts:2,230 Points:484,155 Joined:May 2009
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:58:49 PM
I don't buy the Toyota cases in majority are due to driver error. This is something fundamentally taking over and applying throttle. The stories of smoking brakes and other attempts to stop the car rule out drivers simply holding the pedal down.
Sure, there will be a minority of all makes suffering from driver error, and that's nearly unpreventable. I've had an accelerator stick on an '87, but it was due to a ball & socket at the end of the linkage getting stuck, so odd things do happen, but it wasn't anything where it actually applied throttle beyond what I input.
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AtascaderoHound

All-Star Author
California
Posts:558 Points:588,935 Joined:Oct 2006
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:58:15 PM
I think I can find an accelerator. It's the times when I'm there and a Toyota death machine takes over that has me worried.
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beachbumCA

Champion Author
Riverside
Posts:10,459 Points:1,206,350 Joined:May 2008
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:53:48 PM
Lets see, the accelerator is on the right?
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Bubba44612

Champion Author
Ohio
Posts:5,178 Points:1,419,995 Joined:Aug 2005
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:49:20 PM
Momma always said you can't fix stupid.
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MidNJ

Champion Author
New Jersey
Posts:4,623 Points:738,520 Joined:Sep 2009
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:47:20 PM
A New York Times Editorial?
I like fair and balanced news and we all know the New York Times is biased.
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zdn

Champion Author
New Jersey
Posts:1,722 Points:730,265 Joined:Sep 2009
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:45:03 PM
bad drivers? i knew it
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packards42

Champion Author
Washington
Posts:4,234 Points:716,195 Joined:Feb 2005
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:44:24 PM
This guy will be an expert witness for the defense in the Toyota class action suits. I suspect he right in most of the cases. if not all
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mstearno

Champion Author
Dayton
Posts:5,867 Points:1,286,185 Joined:Jan 2008
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:38:51 PM
I'm sick of theories lets get some proof or put a cutoff switch on the car
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hwnguy

Champion Author
Honolulu
Posts:3,580 Points:1,021,940 Joined:Apr 2008
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:37:39 PM
Hard to fix human error
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ILANGE9

Champion Author
Illinois
Posts:5,185 Points:1,130,675 Joined:Sep 2008
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:37:33 PM
Great idea. But I agree that most of sudden acceleration is due to operator error. There area lot of stories about old people running over people claiming their car was out of control and brakes wouldn't work. Only to find out they hit the gas instead of the brake. Smart pedals aren't going to help operator error.
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fltdoc

Champion Author
Oklahoma
Posts:6,143 Points:1,098,340 Joined:Oct 2008
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:37:13 PM
Perhaps the fix for this is to abandon what we were taught in high school driver's education. That is, we were taught to always use the right foot for both brake and accelerator. This avoided the bad habit of a driver who tended to rest their left foot on the brake, causing the brake lights to stay on, and light pressure on the brakes, with excessive wear and poor fuel mileage. However, if these individuals who may be hitting the accelerator in error, were to begin the habit of only braking with the left foot, they would less likely hit the accelerator with the left foot.
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comprof

Champion Author
Houston
Posts:4,373 Points:895,100 Joined:Jul 2009
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:32:12 PM
Very good informative article. Good Post.
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danreino

Champion Author
Twin Cities
Posts:6,275 Points:1,143,170 Joined:Mar 2008
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:30:37 PM
Finally something rather interesting about the Toyota debacle.
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AllGold

All-Star Author
Lansing
Posts:527 Points:1,148,945 Joined:May 2008
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:23:52 PM
Very interesting background information from someone with first-hand experience.
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RockCity

Champion Author
Denver
Posts:5,299 Points:962,285 Joined:Mar 2009
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:23:00 PM
So that's why they call them toys.
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Asbury09

Champion Author
Iowa
Posts:4,968 Points:1,069,655 Joined:Jan 2009
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:15:31 PM
the solution is probably so obvious that we haven't seen it for all the cars
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cruisingtx

Champion Author
San Antonio
Posts:1,480 Points:971,655 Joined:Jan 2009
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:06:39 PM
Toyota you asked for the the Obama administration, great help they will be!
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YLHandyman

Champion Author
Orange County
Posts:5,008 Points:930,140 Joined:Feb 2008
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:04:45 PM
Driver error is the number one problem.
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ThatHunt

Champion Author
Dallas
Posts:4,487 Points:1,627,290 Joined:Jul 2006
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:03:44 PM
Keep up the research
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puljujarvi

Champion Author
Tampa
Posts:5,174 Points:1,064,660 Joined:Sep 2008
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:03:41 PM
I was finding the same problem occasionally occur with my Dodge Stratus. After pressing the brake, the engine would start revving up to accelerate. Luckily though my Stratus was standard transmission so my other foot was already on the clutch and the car didn't actually pull forward. And for those that believe it was because my foot was on the wrong pedal? It was NOT! I was just very lucky I did not have an automatic transmission, because in the time it took to check it, release my foot from the brake and tap the accelerator I would have made some dangerous entrances into occupied intersections.
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TXGasPriceSpy

Champion Author
Fort Worth
Posts:5,321 Points:1,009,580 Joined:Sep 2008
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:00:06 PM
Let the investigations continue.
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VWC

Veteran Author
Maryland
Posts:450 Points:730,490 Joined:Oct 2004
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 8:49:23 PM
It was because the brake pedal was too closed to the gas pedal, which is not the case with today's Toyotas.
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OHMS

Champion Author
Orange County
Posts:10,792 Points:1,249,445 Joined:May 2005
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 8:48:29 PM
IF YOU SAY SO; perhaps some smart pedals would work well on the mouths of senators; congressmen/ and BO
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cupboy

Champion Author
Salt Lake City
Posts:1,269 Points:682,255 Joined:Nov 2005
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 8:45:47 PM
Those steering locks are really dumb. Does nothing to prevent theft. Just makes the car more dangerous. That "feature" needs to be done away with. Is this a government requirement? I'd bet it is.
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rx7racerca

Champion Author
Calgary
Posts:2,579 Points:707,390 Joined:Sep 2008
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 8:41:22 PM
If you turn the key off, you'll lock the steering, and you may loose brake boost and of course power steering. Shift to neutral, use the brakes to bring the car to a stop, then turn off the ignition. Even if the throttle is sticking, most cars since the late 90's won't rev past 4000 or so in neutral, and if it does, it will hit a rev limiter or fuel cut at or just past redline, so engine damage is unlikely.
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carefrey

Champion Author
Orlando
Posts:3,352 Points:717,375 Joined:Sep 2009
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 8:40:20 PM
I agree my first thought was to shut the car off! That should slow you down!
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PissedCanuck

Champion Author
Toronto
Posts:5,138 Points:1,192,210 Joined:Nov 2006
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 8:39:12 PM
What happens if the "smart pedals" in these vehicles fail. Instead of having a vehicle suddenly takeoff from you, you now have a vehicle that suddenly grinds to a halt without any warning. Not good if an 18 wheeler is about to ram up your rear end!
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leissp

Rookie Author
Toronto
Posts:6 Points:25,320 Joined:Nov 2005
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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 8:36:53 PM
How about turning the key off! or this just a good way to avoid a speeding ticket?
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