WASHINGTON D.C. (BNO NEWS) – The U.S. Department of Transportation analyzed dozens of data recorders from Toyota vehicles involved in accidents supposedly caused by sudden acceleration and found out that at the moment of the crashes, throttles were wide open and the brakes engaged, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.

These results suggest that the drivers were mistakenly stepping on the accelerator instead of the brakes. However, these findings do not exclude Toyota for its responsibility regarding the known issues which may cause sudden acceleration: sticky gas pedals and floor mats that may trap pedals to the floor.

The studies made by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are consistent with a 1989 government-sponsored investigation that conclude that similar driver mistakes were the cause of a series of reports involving sudden acceleration in Audi 5000 vehicles.

On the other hand, Toyota’s own investigation concluded that the sudden-acceleration reports were not caused by electronic glitches in the computer systems as some safety advocates and plaintiffs’ attorneys have alleged. NHTSA has received more than 3,000 complains about Toyota vehicles since the last decade regarding electronic incidents which caused sudden acceleration; including 75 fatal crashes that involved 93 deaths.

Regardless, the NHTSA verified that from the 75 fatal accidents, only one was caused by an electronic glitch. That accident took place August 28, 2009; when a Lexus crashed killing a California patrolman and three passengers after the floor mat trapped the gas pedal in the depressed position.

Up to date, Toyota has recalled more than eight million cars worldwide to repair sticky pedals and fix floor mats.

Transportation Department officials have publicly said that they have not found any electronic problems in Toyota cars.

“In spite of our investigations, we have not actually been able yet to find a defect in electronic throttle-control systems. We’re bound and determined that if it exists we’re going to find it. But as yet, we haven’t found it,” said Daniel smith, NHTSA’s associate administrator for enforcement.

Toyota has declined to blame customers for the problems. Toyota hid knowledge of safety problems with its vehicles about sudden acceleration. The Asian company has taken steps to improve its quality including more tests and a new division dedicated exclusively to detect issues in vehicles.

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