No brakes at over 100mph

[lgonzalez]

Just thought I'd share this story.
https://m.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/13/french-driver-200kmh-car-chase
In short, his throttle jammed and brakes failed so ended up having to keep going at over 100mph til fuel ran out!!!

 

[MovingShadow]

 

[lgonzalez]

Lmao (not to the story, but the picture)

 

[JoeRS133]

Did he not think to switch the engine off or stall it?!!

 

[lgonzalez]

I should imagine it was an auto as it says its adapted for the disabled driver. So stalling would be out of the question. But as to why he didn't shut the ignition off and hopefully coast it to a stop? :-/
Edit: just had a thought...if he turned the ignition off he would lose PAS I think wouldn't have helped much either I shouldn't imagine?:-/

 

[Dan133]

This sounds like something off a film. He won't be wanting to go for a drive anytime soon will he! Lol.

 

[JoeRS133]

Personally i would have either gently applied handbrake and if that didnt work i would have put it in a barrier and come to a gradual stop.

 

[133_Ads]

With it being the Laguna it could have had the electronic handbrake

Sounds like he had a lot of fun!

 

[waitey]

I wouldn't switch my engine off at 100mph lol, no PAS and no brakes.

 

[133_Ads]

He didn't have brakes anyway...

 

[GhostZ]

switch engine off and downshift ? i have had the exact same problem but it was at work with our crappy pick ups >_> at 40mph i had no brakes and no handbrake only thing i could think off turn off the ignition and shift in 2nd let go of clutch pedal fast so it locks up and then afterwards when i had almost no speed at all slammed it in 5th and got to a stop (at first i did it wrong i had the ignition still on so the car jump started it self :shock: ) but if i didnt do that i hit a guardrail and worst case scenario water luckly nothing special happend , but yeah switching off you engine at 100mph can be terrifying when you know you have steering lock :s i was also thinking of ramming the guardrail but yeah then i had lots of explaining to do to the boss

 

[133_Ads]

It had been adapted for a disabled driver so i presume it was an automatic, best option would be to turn the engine off but leave keys in ignition (so steering lock doesn't come on) No power steering isn't a big deal, people drove for long enough without it...

 

[LCplParks]

or he could've used his wheelchair for some kind of crazy 100mph wheelchair bailout

 

[gavin-h]

No power steering isn't a big deal, people drove for long enough without it...

That's true - I had several cars with no power assistance.

BUT - failed power-steering is a LOT heavier than steering with no power assistance due to different gearing etc.

Try turning the wheel of your Twingo while parked with the ignition off (but obviously key in ignition) then try it with a 1980s Ford Escort or something which didn't have power assistance as standard and you'll see what I mean, :idea:

 

[133_Ads]

No power steering isn't a big deal, people drove for long enough without it...

That's true - I had several cars with no power assistance.

BUT - failed power-steering is a LOT heavier than steering with no power assistance due to different gearing etc.

Try turning the wheel of your Twingo while parked with the ignition off (but obviously key in ignition) then try it with a 1980s Ford Escort or something which didn't have power assistance as standard and you'll see what I mean, :idea:

I drove my 2000 reg Corsa B without power steering on a PAS rack as the engine ecu didn't support the PAS rack after the engine swap, wasn't a massive issue unless i was in a tight space.

But the OP stated that the guy was travelling at over 100mph without brakes, i know what i'd rather do than fly along the motorway at 100+

 

[BlackTwingo-i]

But the OP stated that the guy was travelling at over 100mph without brakes, i know what i'd rather do than fly along the motorway at 100+

Have a nosh while flying down the motorway doing 100+ with breaks?