Accidentally stepping on the gas pedal while braking: Causes and how to prevent it

(Baonghean.vn) - The mistake of mistakenly pressing 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.

Reasonwrong foot on the gas

- Unstable mentality:This error is common in people who are new to driving or are not yet proficient in driving, leading to not being familiar with pressing the correct brake or accelerator pedal of the car, especially when encountering a situation requiring emergency braking. Because they are not familiar with it, they easily fall into a state of panic, so pressing the wrong foot 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 an unstable mentality, impulsiveness + carelessness when an unexpected situation occurs is the main cause of the above harmful 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 reason can be due to 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 sitting 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 pressing 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 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 for a long time, in a safe position, the driver should shift to P and pull the handbrake.

Heels not leaving the floor:The driver needs to 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, avoids misplacement and especially can easily adjust the accelerator or brake force.

The heel must be viewed 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 move 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 – apply the brake":Keeping the heel firmly on the floor means that the driver has always had a standard position for operating out of habit. However, this position can still be confused by a 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) vehicles, this action is effective. Once the habit is formed, 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 drive. Going barefoot can cause foot pain when driving for long periods of time. Slippery sandals can cause your feet to slip off, especially if your feet sweat. Boots with long, stiff collars limit ankle movement. High heels with small contact surfaces can cause your feet to slip off the pedals. Wear light, thin-soled shoes or flip-flops when driving. If you have a habit of wearing boots or high heels, keep a pair of thin-soled shoes in your 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 with the gear lever:With this principle, it is very important to make it 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 make sure 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 andhandbrake. In addition, it is also important to keep the habit of turning the steering wheel to the side of the road 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)