# 1997 FORD TAURUS — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
> NHTSA complaint `148662` · 1999-04-27 · Ford Motor Company
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 2
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** Yes
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** FORD
- **Model:** TAURUS
- **Year:** 1997
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- **Speed:** 20 mph
## Narrative
I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE.  I HIT A CONCRETE POLE WHICH WAS LOCATED IN THE PARKING LOT.  THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN I BRAKED TO SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE.  THE CAR TOOK OFF LEAVING BLACK MARKS 9 FEET LONG.  I DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO HIT THE ACCELERATOR.  THE CAR WAS ACTING ON ITS OWN.  I HIT THE FRONT OF THE STORE.  THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED MY CAR WAS THE STEEL DOOR FRAME AND THE BRICK BUILDING.  MY CAR WAS STILL MOVING AFTER I GOT OUT BECAUSE I HAD NOT PUT IT INTO PARK AND TURNED IT OFF.  I HAD JUMPED OUT QUICKLY BECAUSE GLASS WAS COMING THROUGH MY SUNROOF ONTO ME.  A WITNESS SAID "OH MY GOD, YOUR CAR IS STILL MOVING."  I HAD TO GET BACK INTO THE VEHICLE TO PUT IT INTO PARK AND TURN THE IGNITION OFF.  THIS PROVES THAT THE CAR WAS GETTING FUEL SOMEWHERE BESIDES ME.  I FEEL AS THOUGH THE FUEL SHUT OFF BUTTON LOCATED IN THE TRUNK SHOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS ACCIDENT.  BUT IT DID NOT WORK; IN FACT, I AM THINKING SOMETHING MALFUNCTIONED AND INSTEAD OF SHUTTING FUEL OFF THE CAR WAS GETTING FUEL WIDE OPEN.
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*