State rips floor mats out of its Toyotas

The state wants the floor mats removed from its 17 Toyotas in response to the massive recall related to acceleration problems with the automaker's vehicles.

The state's Toyotas are all hybrid Priuses and 11 are permanently assigned to state employees, according to a news release from the N.C. Department of Administration, which oversees the Motor Fleet Management division. The division has told the 11 employees to remove the floor mats.

Toyota says the floor mats should be removed on the Prius until problems with the accelerator pedal can be addressed. 

Toyota has not recommended additional safety inspections for the vehicles at this time, said Motor Fleet Director John Massey. He added that no safety incidents have been reported with the vehicles.

Motor Fleet purchased a total of 17 of the hybrid vehicles in 2007 and 2008. Eleven of the vehicles are permanently assigned, with the balance available for temporary use through the Motor Pool. No other Toyota models are in the state fleet.