Shouldn't all new cars have electric backup power brakes and steering by law?
 

In case the engine fails or it stops running by some reason (GM recall style) shouldn't there be a law mandating all new cars to have electric backup power brakes and steering?

It is unbelievable that some people got killed in developed nations in modern times because the engine stopped running (again GM recall style).
Add this to less engine reliability because of programmed obsolescence...

Wouldn't this pave the road for more fuel-saving on demand electric power steering and brakes?

I've driven some non power steering old cars and you only miss power steering when parking or when cornering during stop and go traffic.
At freeway speeds you don't even mind about power steering, the steering gets softer by itself. At least in (not THAT old) cars with properly designed steering geometry.

The trick would be to make electric steering systems with no more rotating mass and no more friction than a manual system. i.e. you don't have to manually turn heavy, sticky non powered electric rotors.

Same for electric power brakes, perhaps with a linear electric solenoid?

How many have died because the engine stopped running?

For the GM recall scandal 13 people were killed so far.
There is no data on people killed in other car makes or other non ignition switch related failures.

I'm pretty sure large airplanes have a backup system to move the aero control surfaces, even if the engines stop running.
BTW large airplanes are supposed to be engineered to be a safe as known possible.

Think BACK in time before the advent of 'power' brakes...when people had to use just their leg pressure pressing the brake pedal...and they stopped.

i thought the people that died were because the airbags didnt go off
there is normally vacuum in reserve for at least a couple brake applications with the engine off, but there is getting to be more vehicles that are receiving an auxiliary electric vacuum pump just for the reason of your concern
if you can steer when your at speed w/o power steering, and you have brakes, doesnt seem like power steering would be an issue

big v8s, single channel brakes, 4 wheel drum, no seat belts... people love those cars still

They might still be alive if they tried EOC a few times.

People have an extreme paralyzing baseless fear of being behind the wheel of a moving vehicle with no power steering or brakes.
See it here: And laugh.
Do you ever practice "EOC" (Engine OFF Coasting) - Virginia Beach Gas Prices

I bet some of these people think that no power renders the brakes and steering completely non functional.

A highly mechanized and technological world largely inhabited by people who have absolutely no idea how any of it works is a recipe for disaster. As you can see.

How many of the 13 people were 1) wearing a seatbelt and/or 2) not drunk or otherwise impaired?

I understand families wanting to blame someone for their loss. Could a working airbag have saved them? Maybe, maybe not. Would wearing a seatbelt have saved them? Probably, and yet those were intentionally not used. Would driving sober have saved them? More probably than not. But who would the family blame for those two contributors?

Back to the original point... the steering and brakes still work even if the engine is off... no need to add even more complexity to a system which already has a mechanical backup. IMHO, too much dang complexity on the new cars already, including a bunch of unnecessary idiot-proofing... :rolleyes:

Wish there was a law against stupid hysterical motorists.

Wish there was a law against stupid.