Causes and ways to avoid accidentally pressing the gas pedal while driving

The traffic accident involving a car and 17 motorbikes at the Vo Chi Cong - Xuan La intersection, Tay Ho, Hanoi, which occurred on the afternoon of April 5, is receiving a lot of public attention. At the investigation agency, the driver confessed that he accidentally stepped on the gas pedal.

The situation of a driver mistakenly stepping on the gas pedal and causing an accident is not a new problem. According to Mr. Thanh Le, admin of the Otofun forum: "When the driver is not really focused on driving, plus external factors can easily make them startled, not remembering where their foot is, so it is easy to accidentally step on the gas pedal."

Racing training expert Nguyen Hong Vinh said that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has emphasized that the problem of mistakenly pressing the accelerator pedal is a "Pedal Fault". Collisions caused by pedal faults can cause serious safety risks to the occupants of the vehicle, surrounding drivers, pedestrians and property.

Notably, these incidents occur most frequently in vehicles moving at very low speeds, but the situation will develop rapidly, causing the driver to be startled and easily lose control of the vehicle due to sudden acceleration.

The female driver mistakenly stepped on the gas pedal, causing the car to plunge into West Lake on the afternoon of April 1. Photo: Nguyen Hong

A few days earlier, a similar incident occurred in the West Lake area when a young woman mistakenly pressed the accelerator, causing her car to plunge straight into the lake. Fortunately, there were no serious consequences.

One study also found that drivers under 20 or over 65 were about four times more likely to be involved in pedal-related crashes than other age groups.

That shows that the mistake of pressing the wrong accelerator pedal can happen to any driver, long-term driving experience and expertise do not help much in minimizing this risk. Therefore, below will be some advice to avoid pressing the wrong accelerator pedal when driving.

Comfortable driving position

A comfortable sitting position allows for more flexibility in turning the feet.

When getting in the car, adjust your driving position to feel most comfortable, the position of your feet on the brake and accelerator pedals is not too far or too tight. Sitting too close to the steering wheel can easily cause your feet to lose flexibility when switching from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and vice versa.

Therefore, when driving for the first time, you should press the brake and accelerator pedals deeply to get used to it and find a suitable driving position.

Shift to N when stopping

Shifting to N when coming to a temporary stop is an effective way to avoid accidentally pressing the accelerator pedal.

When waiting at a traffic light for a long time, many drivers of automatic cars still have the habit of leaving the gear in D and pressing the brake. When distracted, the driver often accidentally takes his foot off the brake and presses the gas, causing the car to suddenly rush forward.

To avoid this situation, drivers should shift to N, and can hold the foot brake or pull the handbrake when having to stop the car temporarily. Because doing so, even if you accidentally press the accelerator, the car will not be able to move.

Need to concentrate when driving

Concentrating on driving will minimize mistakes when driving.

When driving, just a few seconds of distraction can cost you dearly, not only money but also your own life and the lives of others.

Therefore, drivers need to practice the habit of focusing on driving, limit the use of mobile devices, eating or taking things. In addition, a bad mood will affect the ability to concentrate. If you are angry or tired, you should not drive.

Wear suitable shoes and sandals

Wearing inappropriate shoes or sandals can also cause drivers to accidentally step on the gas pedal.

Footwear that affects your ability to drive is something that is often mentioned when you first start learning to drive. Footwear such as flip-flops, heavy boots, or high heels can contribute to pedal errors.

It is best to wear flat, lightweight shoes whenever you are in the driver’s seat. In addition, the size of the shoes should also be suitable for the feet, avoiding shoes that are too tight or too loose will also affect the feeling of the feet.

Grasp the heel rule to place the brake pedal straight

Because the brake and accelerator pedals are both located on the right side of the driver's seat, to ensure safety, the driver should only use the right foot to control these two parts. The heel should always be placed lightly on the floor to create a support point. The heel position is always straight with the brake pedal, making it easier to switch from the accelerator to the brake pedal naturally and quickly.

Ngo Minh