Car and Driver: The danger of keyless ignitions [View all]

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a28222496/new-york-times-auto-shutoff-cars/

Here's What the New York Times Didn't Say about the Danger of Keyless-Ignition Systems

The technology is convenient (if sometimes annoying), but it means drivers need to be more attentive to whether their engines are running.

A New York Times report tells the story of a couple who died of carbon-monoxide poisoning after their 2017 Toyota Avalon, equipped with a push-button keyless ignition, was mistakenly left running inside their garage.
The story outlines the problem of modern keyless-ignition systems that make it more difficult to be certain whether a car's engine is running.

NHTSA and SAE International have both recommended that warning systems be added to push-button ignition systems, but more driver attentiveness is a powerful remedy, too.

Are all the electronics in your car a good thing? When it comes to safety features such as anti-lock brakes and stability-control systems, the answer is yes. Convenience features like touchscreens, however, can add distraction and, at worst, can be dangerous. It's difficult to know where to draw the line, but the New York Times suggests in a recent story that keyless-ignition systems pose an overlooked risk because sometimes, the driver fails to switch the car off or doesn't realize it's still running. It's a follow-up to a larger investigation citing the dangers that can happen when you don't have to physically turn off a key to be sure your car is shut down.