The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is considering a revision to what defines a car’s ignition key due to the chance of a vehicle rolling away. They are questioning the use of “smart key fobs” which are used to replace conventional metal keys, which allow a car to start by pressing a button or inserting the fob into a slot. The problem originated when the NHTSA allowed for the vehicle’s engine to be shut-down and key fob removed without shifting the transmission into Park. According to the New York Times, this resulted in many concerns of a car rolling away, theft, and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Automakers were previously required to prevent the key from being removed unless the transmission was in Park. Now, with the popularity of electronic fobs, the definition was expanded to include the electronic codes of smart fobs. However, several accidents involving roll-away cars is instigating a revision to that definition. One incident involved a woman whose car began rolling out after she got out to get a package, resulting in injury to her leg when she tried to stop the vehicle. Other incidences were reported with vehicles which would allow for the key to be removed if it was in Neutral or Drive. In 2009, a class-action lawsuit against Nissan was filed to prove their systems did not prevent roll-away accidents. Nissan won the case, saying their vehicles were safe and complied with federal standards.

As a personal injury lawyer Virginia, I am interested to see whether this revision is made and how is affects the safety of drivers and passengers. If you or a loved one were harmed in an auto accident caused by negligence, discuss your case with a Virginia car accident lawyer.