There were suspicions long before this Reuters report citing claims by a federal regulator that more than 13 people perished in accidents resulting from faulty ignition switches was highly possible. However, since then, General Motors has officially stood behind the number, and that it wasn’t any higher.
But just yesterday, the NHTSA issued a statement to Reuters, claiming that:Â “The final death toll associated with this safety defect is not known to NHTSA, but we believe it’s likely that more than 13 lives were lost.”
GM spokesman Jim Cain responded to the claim, stating that: “to the best of our knowledge, there have been 13 fatalities that may be related to the ignition switch defect. That’s after a thorough analysis of the information available to us. If we come across new information, of course, we will share it with the agency. We’re totally focused on fixing all of the cars as quickly as we can.”
The NHTSA was the agency that failed to see a correlation between the Delphi-made faulty ignition switch and the accidents, where the airbags did not deploy.
Will numbers be adjusted? Just how many did lose their lives to these faulty parts? Stay tuned.
Comments
And again it is likely that there were other issues that the media will not tell us like speeding, DUI and no seat belt were also involved in the accident. Out of the original 13 half were not disclosed that they had one or more of these factors involved.
When the ignition turns off and the steering wheel locks, and the brakes work poorly, at 75mph, in a turn, or while passing; that IS a problem. I don’t care how good a driver you think you are.
This case is all messed up, and it’s just like all the other scandals in this country. Unlike the other government scandals this involves a powerful company, and the government. It doesn’t take many details to determine that the government is trying to back out of taking responsibility. It was overlooked by the NHTSA, and when a recall occurred this year the NHTSA, fined the company, and now they’re saying this. A fine is somewhat understandable, but it should be left at that. If the NHTSA had that much proof of an idea, why didn’t they have concern about this earlier before this year? The NHTSA, the government tossed this aside like it wasn’t a big deal. I have no idea how the internal investigation will turn out, but from proof of the documents available, that stated the NHTSA knew, and now the actions of the NHTSA/government, pretty much show a coverup on the government’s side in my opinion. There is no doubt the older GM is responsible, but between the bankruptcy and the NHTSA knowledge of this issue, there’s responsibility needed on the government side.
First off the steering does not lock. In these cars the column does not lock till the key is removed from the ignition.
Second even after the key is removed the wheel has to go 3/4 to one full turn before it would lock.
Now I don’t care how good of a driver you think you are I you think can not make a 3/4-1 full turn at 75 MPH in a Cobalt.
Again magirus you need to get your fact straight and stop thinking you can fool the rest of us who do have a clue.
Scottecotec3 has four of his cylinders deactivated and still needs to show some more sensitivity on this matter. For every person who died I am sure there are dozens who were seriously injured.
Sorry for the cold hard reality here magirus.
I am fully behind it if the issue was the direct cause for the accident and I am sure a few of these that was the case.
But on the other hand when the person driving has done something like being over the limit, not wearing a seat belt and driving twice the speed limit and some doing all three at the same time have put themselves in harms way and should share or take responsibility for their actions.
Many of these cases if they were not doing this or made an error on their part they would have safely pulled over like any other stalled car on the road.
I hate to break the new to you but cars stall and cut out every day from every MFG and most all makes and models. Generally most drivers who are in a safe condition are able to deal with it with no drama.
To me yes GM should be held in account for their actions but on the other hand drivers should also be held in account for their actions.
People get upset with companies not being responsible when the truth is responsibility should start with each and every person and then it will carry over to the rest of out lives no matter what we do and were we go. On the job at play or just taking care of the family.
I am shocked Magirus is playing the sensitivity card since he has never shown any for anything pro GM. Wow.
Scott3 is correct in the steering wheels do not lock on these cars until the key is removed from the ignition.
Over my years of driving, I’ve had a vehicle shut off on my twice (not key issues, other issues) and lost power steering and power brakes. I have also had a front drive shaft break on me under acceleration while merging into traffic (happened to be in a Mercedes a friend just purchased and was letting me try it out). All three times I had the emergency flashers on within 2-3 seconds, had full control of my steering (yes, arm-strong steering) and I had to really push on the brakes, but all three times I was able to come to a stop, avoid traffic and was safe. Was there a chance I could have been in an accident? Sure. But because other drivers wouldn’t have been paying attention to my flashers, slowing speed, etc, not because I couldn’t control the vehicle.
I do feel bad for those killed and injured in these accidents. It should never happen. But unfortunately anything made by man will have issues (all brands too). Should GM be held responsible for this ignition issue? Absolutely. Some at the old GM made a decision not to deal with this years ago.
But when you add excessive speed and/or alcohol to the mix when driving a mechanical piece of equipment like an automobile, it is never a good mix. When something breaks (and inevitably any car will eventually have something break), the driver is impeded in controlling the vehicle due to excessive speed or intoxication. Manufactures made vehicles so steering wouldn’t lock up and you still had manual brakes (like the old days) so you can still control the vehicles if there is an issue. Should manufacturers be held responsible when the driver is intoxicated or driving in excess of the speed limit and doesn’t have enough ability to control the vehicle? That is the billion dollar question.
It really comes back to how people are taught to drive. When I took driver’s training way back in the day, the instructor actually taught us defensive driving. He actually turned the ignition off twice on us so we would learn how a car reacted and how we could control it to bring it to a stop. We were taught to set our mirrors properly (the outside mirrors should show the lane next to you – your blind spots, not what’s behind you as that is what the windshield mirror is for). We were taught to check all three mirrors a few times every minute in traffic and once every minute when on the highway so you were aware of others around you.
Today I see driver trainers in cars where kids aren’t even signalling to change lanes. My nieces both went through driver’s training and never once did the instructor teach any defensive driving skills like what to do if there is a problem with the vehicle. They were taught to set outside mirrors so you can see what was behind you, not in the next lane beside you (in your blind spots). And neither of them were taught what happens to brakes and steering if a car quits on you or what to do if that happens. My brother actually spent more time teaching them these skills than the driver instructor.
Again, I am not saying these or any other accidents are all due to the drivers, because cars of every brand name break down every day. What I am saying is that no one is taught these days what to do if a car does break down or stall when driving. Through in drugs, alcohol or excessive speed and the affects only multiply.