Gov't eyes new brake safety measures for all new cars

Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood said his agency may recommend that all new vehicles come equipped with brakes that can override the gas pedal.

The safety measure is designed to prevent cases of unintended acceleration that have been a huge problem for Toyota and the source of the recall of more than 8 million Toyota cars and trucks worldwide.

Toyota says it will install the brake systems in most of its new vehicles and many already on the road.

During testimony this morning before a Senate committee investigating Toyota's woes, LaHood said federal safety regulators may recommend the brake override system on cars made by other automakers.

The backup safety system overrides the accelerator if the gas and brake pedals are pressed at the same time.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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