Motor vehicle collisions have many causes, and you should pay close attention to brake and accelerator pedals while behind the wheel. In fact, pedal errors cause a lot of crashes each year, and this risk factor is often overlooked.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that more than 42,900 people lost their lives in traffic accidents during 2021, up 10.5% from 2020. It is crucial for drivers to remain vigilant and avoid any behaviors that could increase the chances of a collision.
Pedal errors can lead to serious collisions
In some instances, crashes caused by pedal errors are relatively minor, such as a driver accidentally accelerating in a parking lot and colliding with another vehicle or a building. However, pedal error accidents can have devastating consequences, especially when they take place on the road. For example, a driver who accidentally accelerates when they actually intended to apply the brakes could slam into another vehicle, causing serious injuries or the loss of life.
Sometimes, drivers accidentally use their brakes, and abruptly slowing down could also lead to a crash. Pedal error accidents are especially concerning when they involve high speeds or hectic traffic.
Negligent driving and pedal errors
A number of risk factors can increase the likelihood of pedal errors, such as driver inexperience, intoxicated driving, distractions and fatigue. For example, a driver using their phone on the road or driving while under the influence of alcohol could cause an accident by accidentally applying the brakes or accelerating. When negligent driving results in pedal errors, drivers who cause these accidents should face consequences.