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Lawmakers react to 10Investigates story on dangers of keyless ignitions

They are promising to take action after we found 17 Floridians had died from carbon monoxide poisonings linked to the technology.
Credit: 10News Staff
Florida leads the nation in carbon monoxide deaths involving keyless ignition vehicles, according to an advocacy group.

After 10Investigates Jennifer Titus' report "Silent Killer" on the dangers of keyless ignitions, two members of Congress have promised to seek more information on the issue.

Rep. Charlie Crist has sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, urging her to direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study the issue.

"While I appreciate the (NHTSA)'s recognition of the dangers of keyless ignitions, I am concerned there has been no progress on regulatory proposals to address this issue, including a lack of tracking of the number of carbon monoxide poisonings that occur as a result of the technology," he said in the letter.

Crist letter to Chao by 10News WTSP on Scribd

Rep. Gus Bilirakis released a statement, promising to work with the NHTSA to investigate the issue:

The data regarding preventable deaths is troubling. There needs to be appropriate safeguards in place to protect consumers. As a member of the Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee, I intend to work with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to request additional information from the appropriate federal agencies and ensure that greater attention is paid to this important public safety issue. Many thanks to WTSP 10 News for bringing this to my attention.”

Titus found 17 people across Florida have died from carbon monoxide poisoning after their keyless ignition vehicles were accidentally left running. She found many of the vehicles will continue to run even if the key fob is removed from the car.

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