General Motors to install brake override safety measure in new vehicles worldwide

GM to use brake safety measure worldwide

DETROIT — General Motors says it will install a new brake safety measure that can prevent unintended acceleration on all its new vehicles worldwide by 2012.

The step comes as federal regulators consider making the system mandatory on cars and trucks after Toyota’s big problems with vehicles that can speed out of control.

A brake override reduces power to the engine when the driver steps on both the brake and accelerator. It should also slow a vehicle if the gas pedal is stuck.

GM has not had major problems with unintended acceleration, but says the safety measure is meant to reassure drivers.