“Brake Override” is a Silly Name

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 | by Pat's Picks

I’ve been reading stories this morning about a possible expansion of a safety system Toyota is proposing for its cars. But Toyota and many news reports keep calling it a “brake override” system. That’s a ridiculous name - because it actually does the opposite. It gives the brake priority over the gas pedal when both appear to be pressed.

Kudos to the Associated Press for calling it an “accelerator override” in its report. Maybe Toyota didn’t want to use the word accelerator for fear of attracting more attention to its problems. But let’s call it what it is. Override means “rule against” or “prevail over.”

Toyota’s press release on its “Brake Override” system.