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Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths Linked to Keyless Ignitions That Lack Auto-Shutoff Feature

Keyless ignitions

Keyless ignitions are standard on well over half of the vehicles manufactured in 2015, but they can truly be a silent killer.

Almost four years ago, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) posted a public notice saying vehicles equipped with keyless ignitions pose a “clear safety problem.” The federal agency cited carbon monoxide poisoning as a significant concern for drivers who mistakenly leave their cars running in a garage or other enclosed space.

Despite proposing new safety rules in December 2011, the rules have yet to be implemented. Meanwhile, more and more deaths have been reported as a result. According to a Scripps News review, there have been 13 known deaths linked directly to carbon monoxide poisonings from keyless ignitions.

A popular college professor was killed when he inadvertently left his car running. The victim’s son clearly recalls that his father thought the car would shut off automatically if the key fob was removed from the vehicle. “I remember asking him the question, ‘What if you walk out of the car and leave it running? Will it eventually shut off?’ And I remember him saying, ‘Absolutely.’”

Reports revealed Ray Harrington left his Chrysler 300C running in his first-floor garage, and the deadly fumes traveled three floors up and seeped into Harrington’s bedroom. He died in his sleep of carbon monoxide poisoning. The key fob was next to his bed.

Federal regulations require cars with a regular key to shut down if it is removed from the engine, but there is nothing to protect drivers of keyless ignition cars, which can keep running after a driver walks away.

NHTSA has proposed loud warning alarms to go off if a driver mistakenly leaves a car running after leaving the vehicle. The agency determined it would be a minimal cost for automakers but it did not force them to take action. The proposal would be for an alert of at least 85 decibels if the key fob is removed from a car while the engine is running. They believe the total costs to be under half a million dollars for the entire industry.

Still many automakers have argued against the proposal. In a 2012 public comment, Nissan said the alerts proposed by the NHTSA “…are too loud and may interfere with the driver responding to the alert in an orderly manner. “

Scripps News asked 12 car manufacturers if they intended to implement auto shut-off devices for any current or older models on the road. Chrysler was the only company to respond, saying it is up to drivers to properly shut their cars off as per the instructions in their owners’ manuals.

NHTSA expects to issue a final rule on the matter in February 2016.

At the Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic we have filed numerous lawsuits against automakers for poor design or crash worthiness. In addition, we have handled carbon monoxide poisoning cases. Just a few of those case results are listed below.

If you or a loved one was the victim of a vehicle design flaw, you may be entitled to compensation. You should speak with a qualified car accident attorney in Jacksonville as soon as possible.