Accidentally stepping on the gas pedal while braking: Causes and prevention

(Baonghean.vn) - The mistake of mistakenly stepping on the gas pedal when braking is not uncommon.new driver,when getting used to a new car, especially an automatic transmission (AT) car. This error can cause serious problems while driving on the road.

Reasonmistakenly stepped on the gas pedal

- Unstable mentality:This error is common in people who are just starting to learn to drive a car or are not yet proficient in driving, leading to not being familiar with pressing the right brake or accelerator pedal of the car, especially when encountering a situation that requires emergency braking. Because they are not familiar with it, they easily fall into a state of panic, so pressing the wrong pedal is very easy to happen. Sometimes, when they discover that they have pressed the wrong accelerator pedal, they instinctively press it even more, and this is of course very dangerous, with a high risk of an accident. It can be said that unstable mentality, impulsiveness + negligence when an unexpected situation occurs is the main cause of the above fatal mistake.

- Incorrect sitting position while driving:The second reason that can be mentioned is that the driver is not "standard", especially for those who drive automatic cars, it is easier to press the accelerator pedal by mistake. This cause can be the wrong sitting posture, using the right foot to hold the accelerator, the left foot to brake. This posture not only makes the driver's body tired and uncomfortable, but in the long run will lead to complications in muscles and bones. Moreover, in this posture, the driver will not have enough braking force, and can even be confused in unexpected situations.

- Forgot to shift gear, still in D mode:This is a common cause that comes from the habit of still keeping the car in D mode and keeping the foot on the brake when stopping the car temporarily. While stopping, if the driver moves the seat position or takes his foot off the brake, it will be very dangerous, especially when there is an unexpected situation that needs to be handled, the driver will easily be passive and confused.

Principles to avoid accidentally stepping on the gas pedal when braking

Stop the car, shift to N or P:In case of just stopping the car temporarily (waiting for a red light, asking for directions), shift to N and pull the handbrake. Pulling the handbrake is never redundant because it helps your feet relax, just rest it lightly on the brake for a short time and make sure the car does not roll on a slight slope. When stopping for a long time, in a safe position, the driver should shift to P and pull the handbrake.

The reason why you should follow this rule is because if you leave the gear in position D, if the driver is startled by a strange noise or is affected by an unusual incident, there is a risk of immediately stepping on the gas pedal, causing the vehicle to lose control and easily cause a series of accidents.

When stopping the car for a long time, in a safe position, the driver should shift to P and pull the handbrake.

Heels do not leave the floor:The driver must master the principle of keeping the heel on the floor, using only the right foot to control the accelerator and brake. At this time, the heel is in line with the brake pedal and only the ball of the foot is used to move between these two functions. Keeping the heel firmly on the floor helps the foot position to be correct, avoiding misplacement and especially can easily adjust the accelerator or brake force.

The heel must be considered as a pivot point from which to quickly and accurately rotate the foot from the accelerator to the brake or from the brake to the accelerator. The driver's heel must always be considered as the Achilles' heel. This means that if you lift your heel to change the pedal, you risk injury and the possibility of becoming a criminal by harming others.

Never take your heels off the floor of the car.

"Take your foot off the gas and apply the brake":Keeping the heel firmly on the floor means that the driver has always had a standard position to operate out of habit. However, this position can still be confused by the new driver even though the heel is aligned with the brake pedal. To minimize confusion, good habits are very important.

The good habit here is “take your foot off the gas and apply the brake”. This action should be practiced even when there is no dangerous situation because it helps the driver to always be ready to brake, instead of pressing the gas.

In any situation, even with manual transmission (MT) cars, this action is effective, once the habit is formed, it means the risk of accidentally stepping on the gas pedal is reduced to the lowest level.

Wear light, thin-soled shoes:Footwear can affect your ability to control the car. Going barefoot can cause foot pain when driving for long periods. Slippery sandals can cause your feet to slip out of the sandals, especially for people with sweaty feet. Boots with long, stiff collars limit ankle movement. High heels have a small contact surface and can cause your feet to slip off the pedals. Wear light, thin-soled shoes or sandals when driving. If you have a habit of wearing boots or high heels, keep a pair of thin-soled shoes in the car to wear when driving.

Keep a pair of thin-soled shoes in your car to wear while driving.

Make it a habit:Adjust your seat, mirrors, and pedals (if possible) before you start driving. If you are driving a new car, make sure you are familiar with the position and feel of the accelerator and brake pedals.

Correct operation of the gear lever:With this principle, it is very important to practice it as a habit. It helps drivers be safer and avoid unfortunate collisions related to confusing the accelerator and brake pedals. To ensure the handbrake works durably, putting the gear lever in D and releasing the handbrake should also be "trained" into a habit to avoid the brake being "worn out".

Stop and park properly:For stopping and parking situations, hand operation is as important as foot operation in limiting the error of mistakenly pressing the accelerator. In case of just stopping the car temporarily (waiting for a red light, asking for directions), shift to N and pull the handbrake. Pulling the handbrake is never redundant because it helps your foot relax, just rest it lightly on the brake for a short time and ensure the car does not roll on a slight slope.

When stopping the car for a long time, in a safe position, the driver should put the car in P andpull the handbrake. In addition, it is also important to maintain the habit of turning the steering wheel to the curb when parking on steep terrain to avoid the car running off the road or drifting too far in case of a downhill slide.

Ngoc Anh

(Synthetic)