这几天丰田的事,闹得纷纷扬扬。一段911电话录音,让人听了不寒而栗。
"We're in a Lexus... our accelerator is stuck... we're in trouble... there's no brakes...we're approaching the intersection...hold on and pray... pray."
据说这起车毁人亡的事故,是压垮丰田的最后一根稻草。
在美国寻求经济复苏的今天,世界销量第一的丰田车,爆出此事,绝非偶然。陈毅早就有言在先:不是不报,时辰未到;时辰一到,统统报销。
美国有关部门把什么都记在帐上,就看什么时候需要公布了。这类政治手段,我们作为个人只有看得份,但愿中国有关部门能从中学到一二。这与我们没什么直接关系。与我们有关系的是,遇到类似情形,我们该如何处理,而不至于导致车毁人亡的极端后果。
我个人的驾车经历中,记得出现过两次车轮打滑。所幸的是,两次都没酿成大的事故。但事后想来,还是有点后怕。
这类紧急状况出现后,需要马上做出判断并处理,没有多少时间给你去思考对策。因此,提前做好应急预案,存在脑子里,到时就用,而不是依赖所谓的思考。如果胸中无策,到时难免手忙脚乱,甚至应对失策,招致严重后果。
一般的驾车手册(Driver’s Manual)里,都有应急驾驶(Driving Emergencie)一节,对遇到转向失控、油门卡住、制动失灵、车辆侧滑、车轮脱落等危急情况,均有应对措施。下面罗列美国一些州对遇到“油门卡住”这一状况时的应对建议:
Massachusetts
Stuck Gas Pedal
If your gas pedal (accelerator) sticks. . .
1. Put your car in neutral and apply the brakes to slow down.
2. Using your foot, try to free the gas pedal.
3. If the gas pedal doesn’t release, reapply the brakes.
4. Keep your eyes on the road.
5. When safe to do so, pull your vehicle to the side of the road and bring it to a stop.
New York
STUCK GAS PEDAL - Hook your toe under the pedal and see if you can free it. If not, shift into neutral and use the brake to slow your vehicle and get off the road. Do not turn off the ignition if your vehicle has power steering or a steering wheel that has a locking column because, if you do, you will lose power steering or not be able to steer at all.
Nevada
Accelerator (Gas Pedal) Sticks
Quickly press your foot hard against the pedal and release. This may unstick or release it. If not:
1. Shift to neutral;
2. Apply the brakes; and
3. Pull off the highway to the right (if possible) and stop.
New Hampshire
Stuck gas pedal
If the gas pedal becomes stuck:
1. Keep your eyes on the road.
2. Quickly shift into neutral.
3. When safe to do so, pull the vehicle off the road.
4. Bring the vehicle to a stop and turn off the engine.
Florida
Jammed Gas Pedal
1. Keep your eyes on the road.
2. Tap the gas pedal with your foot.
3. Try to pry the pedal up with the toe of your shoe.
4. Shift into neutral.
5. Turn off the ignition. (Do not turn the key to lock, or your steering will lock.)
6. Use your brakes.
所有这些方案,大同小异,不外乎这几个步骤:
1. 松动油门(踩、抠油门踏板)
2. 切断动力(换到空挡,熄火)
3. 减速停车(脚闸,手闸,车胎擦摩路牙)
如果上面这些都无效,还有最后一个办法,就是主动撞(如果方向盘还能用)。与其被动地不知撞向何物,还不如有选择地主动撞。除了石头、水泥、金属这类硬构件以外,其他的都可以有选择地撞(人除外啊)。最方便的办法是撞车,可以侧撞,也可以追尾,目的都在于减速。
记住这些应急措施,我们可能一辈子都遇不到应用的机会。但万一不巧遇上了,可能就是救下几条性命的不二法门。