Case Examples of Accidents
Due to Accelerator and Brake
Pedal Misapplication
Kazumitsu Shinohara(School of Human Sciences, Graduate School of Human Sciences,
Osaka University)
Takahiko Kimura(Faculty of Health and Welfare, Kansai University of Welfare Sciences)

Overview• Description• Classify case examples of pedal misapplication accidents that actually
happened• Sort out human factors that led to pedal misapplication• Results• Pedal misapplication will occur even during normal driving when it isnecessary to slow down.
• Pedal misapplication is induced by the fact that drivers have to do a lot ofsteering wheel and pedal operations in parking lots and need to pay attention
to many things.
• Inattention, carelessness, and absent-mindedness lead to pedal
misapplication.
• “Surprise,” “impatience,” and “rushing” lead to pedal misapplication.
• Improper operation posture and pedal operation may cause the driver’s footto slip from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal.
• The characteristics of elderly driver’s attention and cognitive functions seemto be related to the large number of pedal misapplications.
2Objectives• To clarify the process leading to accidents based on caseexamples of accidents that actually happened due topedal misapplication• Classify the circumstances under which accidents
occurred• Sort out what kind of actions drivers took at the time an
accident occurred or just before it happened.
• Extract factors that lead to pedal misapplication fromamong various patterns of conditions under which
accidents have occurred.
3

Case Examples Subject to Analysis• We collected 212 case examples of accidents due to pedal
misapplication.
• They were accidents in which “brake and accelerator pedal
misapplication” was selected as human factors in theaccident factor classification code.
• There are differences in the period of the survey and thedetails of the accidents covered in the survey dependingon the prefecture that were surveyed (cases in which thesurvey applied only to accidents involving fatalities andserious injuries or to all accidents).
↓
It is not appropriate to conduct a statistical analysis of the accident
case examples collected in this survey.
4

(1) Classification of Circumstances
Under Which Accidents Occurred
Traveling
Number of
cases

Average age

Traveling normally

28

69.9

Trying to stop after the preceding car

28

74.3

Going straight through an intersection

6

77.6

Turning right or left at an intersection

18

75.2

Currently among cars in a traffic jam

2

70.0

Changing direction or turning around

5

70.6

Situation5(2) Classification of Circumstances
Under Which Accidents Occurred
Stopping/parking related
Number of
cases

Average age

Entering a parking lot from a roadway

11

71.6

Moving into a parking lot

13

74.0

Moving forward toward a parking spot in order to park

25

72.7

Moving backward toward a parking spot in order to park

17

72.8

Starting off from a parked or stopped state

14

74.4

Car moving unintentionally while getting off

3

80.3

Starting unintentionally from a parked or stopped state

5

70.0

Gear operation error

6

74.2

Moving into a roadway from a parking lot

20

77.3

Circumstance unclear

11

Circumstances

6While Traveling Normally (1)• Overview• Although the driver noticed abicycle coming from the opposite
direction, the driver kept going as
he/she was thinking of something,
and as the bicycle came closer,
the driver tried to apply thebrakes but stepped on the wrong
pedal.

7

While Traveling
Normally (2)• Overview• The driver entered a cornerand turned the steering
wheel in the wrong direction.
• The driver subsequently
stepped on the wrong pedal,veered off the road, and fell
into a river.

8

While Traveling Normally (3)• Overview• As the driver was trying to
unfold the door mirror thatwas folded, he/she came
too close to another car,panicked, and stepped on
the wrong pedal.

9

Stopping after the Preceding Car• Overview• In response to a car that had alreadystopped, the driver tried to slow down
and stop, but stepped on the wrong
pedal.
• The driver was thinking ofsomething.
• The driver was careless.
• The driver thought he/she was
stepping on the brake pedal, but it
was the accelerator.
• The position of the driver’s footshifted/slipped.
• The driver became distressed.
10Summary:

While traveling normally / Stopping after the preceding car• Not paying attention to driving, such as thinking aboutsomething or being careless, resulted in delayed
response and stepping on the wrong pedal by trying tooperate the pedal quickly.
• Impatience and rushing cause effects.
• Although there is no oversight or delayed response, pedal
misapplication may occur.
• The state/position of the foot is erroneously perceived.
• The foot was on the accelerator pedal despite thinking that it was on thebrake pedal.

• The foot slipped.
• Not stepping on the correct pedal
11

Going Straight Through an Intersection• Description of accident
When passing straight through theintersection, the driver was slow
to confirm a bicycle approachingfrom the right side.
↓
Feeling distressed, the driver tried
to stop but stepped on the wrong
pedal.
12

When Turning Right or Left at an
Intersection• Description of accident①

Trying to come to a temporary stop when entering
the intersection, the driver stepped on the wrong

3

pedal.

②

While turning right, the driver noticed a bicycle, etc.
and tried to avoid it but came into contact, became

2

2
②
③

1

startled, and stepped on the wrong pedal.
③

Realizing that he/she was traveling in the wrong

direction, the driver impulsively tried to apply the①brakes but stepped on the wrong pedal.

13

Summary:

Going Straight through or Turning Right or Left at an Intersection• Other cars or bicycles appear from the right or left, andthe driver tries to slow down but steps on the wrong pedal.
• If the driver was not expecting the other party, he/she isaffected by impatience and panic.
• When entering an intersection, the driver tries to slow
down but steps on the wrong pedal.
• When the driver realizes that he/she is turning in thewrong direction at an intersection, he/she tries to slow
down but steps on the wrong pedal.
14

Traffic Congestion• Description of accident• Due to congestion, the driver has repeatedly
been stopping and going. As he/she tried tostop behind a car directly in front after
starting, the driver’s right foot that was on

the brake pedal slipped to the right, and thedriver inadvertently stepped on theaccelerator pedal, resulting in a rear-end
collision.
15

Turning Around• Description of accident• After making a U-turn at a place

where the driver has regularly
been turning at, he/she steppedon the wrong pedal, trying toslow down after making an
excessively wide turn. The carran onto the road slope.
16Changing Directions• Description of accident• The driver stepped on thewrong pedal when he/shetried to go forward in an
attempt to change
directions after backing up
the car at a T-shaped
intersection.
• Collision into a utility pole.
17

Summary:

Traffic Congestion, Turning Around• Drivers step on the wrong pedal while repeatedly stoppingand going in a traffic congestion.
• There is a possibility that a reduction in alertness may be
responsible for this.
• Pedal misapplication occurs when a driver turns the steering
wheel widely and performs a pedal operation at the sametime when turning around the car.
• Pedal misapplication when changing directions.
• Being unfamiliar and not performing individual operations
with certainty leads to pedal misapplication.
18

Entering a Parking Lot from the Roadway• Description of accident
1.

The driver entered the parking lot by turning2

2

left from the roadway. Upon going over the
sidewalk curb, the driver panicked, steppedon the wrong pedal, and crashed into a carthat had entered the parking lot earlier.
2.

1

1

The driver entered the parking lot by turning
right from the roadway. When the driver tried
to park the car by moving forward, he/she

stepped on the wrong pedal and crashed into
the wall.

19

Moving Inside a Parking Lot• Description of accident• While looking for a parking
space• While trying to slow down
• While trying to turn left↓
• Crashing into a wall or parkedcar, or hitting a pedestrian20

Summary:

From Roadway to Parking Lot; Moving within a Parking Lot• When leaving an off-road parking lot, it is necessary tostop temporarily for confirmation or to operate the parking
fee payment machine, and pedal misapplication occurs indoing so.
• Feeling startled upon hitting a curb could trigger a pedal
misapplication.
• Moving within a parking lot requires frequent steering
wheel and pedal operations as well as being alert forvarious things. Therefore, there are many elements that
may triggers pedal misapplication.
21

Moving Forward within a Park
Parking Lot in Order to Park
• Characteristic description on human factors• The driver was distracted by a passenger’s
conversation on a mobile phone.
• The driver was distracted when he/she cautioned apassenger who removed his/her seatbelt.
• The driver became distressed at causing an accident
and stepped on the wrong pedal.

22

Backing up within a Parking Lot in
Order to Park
• Description of accident• After going back and forth tobacking and moving forward toadjust the parking position, thedriver stepped on the wrong
pedal.

1

1

23

Backing up within a Parking Lot in
Order to Park (2)• Description of accident
1.

The driver panicked when he/she crashedinto a wall at a supermarket after backing up

1

1

at first.
2.

The driver panicked when he/she
inadvertently stepped too hard on the

1

1

1

accelerator pedal.

3.

The driver panicked when the car
accelerated when he/she stepped lightly on
the accelerator at the moment the driverwould have normally stepped on the brakes.
24

Backing up within a Parking Lot in
Order to Park (3)• Description of accident• When the driver backed up

after confirming the rear,he/she was distracted by thewheel stopper and stepped on

the wrong pedal.

25

Summary:

Moving Back and Forth in Order to Park
What triggers pedal misapplication:• Distraction due to what made the driver feel uneasy suchas the passenger’s behavior• Erroneous operation and the resulting accident• Frequent steering wheel and pedal operations foradjusting the parking position

26

Starting from a Parked Position (1)• Description of accident• In starting off from a parking
lot, the driver was surprisedthat the tires were turned to
the right. Therefore, thedriver tried to stop but
stepped on the wrong pedal.
• The car ran into a wall andhit pedestrian(s).
27Starting from a Parked Position (2)• Description of accident• When the driver stared off bymoving forward from a parking lot
in a housing complex site, his/her
car hit other parked cars andsubsequently stepped on thewrong pedal.

Entrance tothe housing
complex28

Starting from a Parked Position (3)• Description of accident• When the driver tried to slow down after
starting off, he/she thought that he/she had

moved his/her foot from the accelerator to
the brake pedal and subsequently steppedon the accelerator pedal.

• After the car ran away, the driver could not
do anything, as he/she was shaken up.
29

Starting from a Parked Position (4)• Description of accident• The driver noticed a bicycler

approaching from the forward
direction when he/she started
off toward the right.

• The driver tried to apply thebrakes but stepped on thewrong pedal.
30

Starting from a Parked Position (5)• Description of accident• The driver started off byturning the steering wheel tothe right in leaving the parking

lot, and when he/she tried toapply the brakes, his/her footslipped and stepped on theaccelerator.
31

Summary:

Starting from a Parked Position
What triggers pedal misapplication:• When starting off, the driver’s car moved in an unexpected way.
• Direction of the tires• Level of acceleration corresponding to the accelerator operation• A sudden change occurred at the time the driver started the car.
• An approaching bicycle• While accelerating and decelerating, the driver misidentified theposition of his/her foot.
• The driver was shaken up as a result of a minor collision accident.
• The driver’s foot slipped during a pedal operation.
32

Moving on to the Roadway from a
Parking Lot (1)• Description of accident• Due to the difference in level between
the road and the sidewalk, thesteering wheel turned to the right,
causing the driver to panic and stepon the wrong pedal.

• The driver’s car collided with a car
coming from the right side.
33

Moving on to the Roadway from a
Parking Lot (2)• Description of accident• The driver drove toward the roadway
while stepping on the brake pedal, but

due to the difference in level between
the road and the sidewalk, his/herfoot slipped and stepped on theaccelerator pedal.
• The car ran into a concrete-block wall
across the street.
34

Moving on to the Roadway from a
Parking Lot (3)• Description of accident•

The driver inadvertently switchedpedals when he/she inserted theparking ticket into the automated pay
machine.
•Automated
pay machine

The driver had difficulty trying to shift
gears at the automated pay machine.

•

The driver panicked because there

was a car waiting behind his/her car.
Pedal misapplication due to parking fee payment

35

Moving on to the Roadway from a
Parking Lot (4)• Description of accident• Looking at the front after looking at
the passenger to confirm whether

the passenger fastened his/her seatbelt, the driver noticed a car stopped

in front of his/her car, so the drivertried to stop but stepped on the

Passenger

wrong pedal.

36Summary:

Moving on to the Roadway from a Parking Lot

What triggers pedal misapplication:• Hitting the curb on the road / Driving over the ramp
• Surprise, impatience• Impact on driving operation such as losing control of the steering wheel• Distraction due to what made the driver feel uneasy such as thepassenger’s behavior• Operation of the automated payment machine at the parking lot exit
• Impatience and haste when there are cars waiting behind the driver’s car• Failure to respond properly to other cars in front of the driver’s car
37

Gear Operation Error (1) 2F

1• Description of accident• When trying to slow down after accelerating
to go to the second floor, the driver steppedon the wrong pedal and crashed into a wall.
Then, while feeling impatient, the driver

shifted the gear in reverse, accelerated
abruptly, and ran into cars, etc. behind the

1F

driver’s car.

38

Gear Operation Error (2)• Description of accident• The driver panicked uponcausing an accident, shifted
the gear into reverse fromthe drive position, steppedon the wrong pedal, andstared off abruptly.
39

Summary:

Gear Operation Errors• There are cases where pedal misapplication causes anaccident and cases where pedal misapplication occurs as
a result of an accident.
• Drivers become startled due to pedal misapplication,
inadvertently shift gears into reverse, and start off
abruptly.
• Drivers inadvertently shift gears into reverse and start
off abruptly.
• In some cases, drivers shift gears into a position contrary
to their intention, resulting in an accident with their cars
moving in unexpected directions.
40

Car Moves When Getting Off• Description of accident• When the driver got off the car after parking on the sidewalk,the car took off and hit pedestrians.
• Trying to stop a car that took off by itself, the driver steppedon the wrong pedal, and the car ran into a traffic signal poleinstalled on the sidewalk across the street.
• When the driver got off his car in trying to caution anotherdriver with whom he/she got in a dispute, the car started
moving backwards, and when the driver rushed to get backto the car, he/she stepped on the wrong pedal, causing the
car to run away.
41

Unintentional Starting from a Parked
Position• Description of accident• When the driver twisted his/her body and braced his/herright foot trying to get a bag from the back seat while
stopped, his/her foot slipped and stepped on theaccelerator.
• As the driver searched inside his/her bag while stopped,
the brake slacked off, and although the driver immediately
realized that, he/she stepped on the wrong pedal.
• While waiting at a traffic light, the driver panicked andstepped on the wrong pedal when he/she was notified by
the driver of a car passing by on the left side that theformer’s gas tank cap was open.
42

Summary:

Car Moves When Getting Off / Unintentional Starting• If there is something inside or outside the car that
distracts the driver’s attention, there are cases where thedriver may apply the brakes insufficiently and the car may
move in unintended ways.
• When a car moves in unintended ways, it can surprise thedriver or cause him/her to panic, thus inducing pedal
misapplication.

43

Factors Leading to Pedal
Misapplication (1)• The driver steps on the wrong pedal as he/she repeatedly
accelerates and slows down while driving.
• The driver perceives the state/position of his/her foot erroneously.
• As a result of having something in mind, etc., the driver is distracted from
his/her driving.
• Even under the same driving conditions, the driver’s foo may be in adifferent state/position.
• Which pedal the foot is resting on• Whether the drivers is stepping on the pedal, or just has his/her foot restingon the pedal

To prevent pedal misapplication• If, in particular, the driver intends to slow down when there is a
car in front that is slowing down or stopping, the driver should
pay attention to the pedal and the position of his/her foot.
44Factors Leading to Pedal
Misapplication (2)• When a car is moving in unexpected ways, or if there
emerges a dangerous situation as a result of that, it
causes a feeling of “surprise,” “panic,’ or “impatience” inthe driver.
• Coming into contact with a curb or wall, or driving over a ramp
can cause the driver to lose control of the steering wheel.
• By responding to what the drivers feels uneasy about or bybeing inattentive, the car moves in unexpected ways.
To prevent pedal misapplication• Concentrate on driving so that the car does not move in unexpectedways.
• Avoid sudden acceleration or operations that can cause a car to movein unexpected ways.
45

Factors Leading to Pedal
Misapplication (3)• When other cars, bicycles, or pedestrians appear
unexpectedly and it becomes necessary for the driver to
respond quickly, it can cause “surprise,” “panic,” or“impatience.”• A pedestrian appears while the driver is moving within aparking lot.
• While turning right or left at an intersection, the driverrecognizes a bicycle, etc. in front of his/her car.

To prevent pedal misapplication• Be sure to be able to predict danger with certainty.
46

Factors Leading to Pedal
Misapplication (4)• In situations where there are many things to pay attention
to, it is difficult to focus attention on pedal operations.
• When moving around within a parking lot looking for a parking
space, there are many things for the driver to watch out forwhile driving such as the direction he/she is moving, other cars
and pedestrians, and open parking spaces.
• It is necessary for the driver to frequently perform steering
wheel and pedal operations.

To prevent pedal misapplication• Drive at sufficiently slow speeds. Stop temporarily
depending on circumstances.
• Stop talking, etc. with passengers, and stay focused on
driving.

47

Factors Leading to Pedal
Misapplication (5)• The foot slips from the brake pedal and depresses theaccelerator pedal.
• The expression “the foot slips” is frequently seen.
• The fact that “the foot slips” indicates that there is a problem
with the driver’s driving position or how the driver steps on thepedals.
To prevent pedal misapplication• The driver should check how he/she is stepping on the pedals• The driver should adjust the seat position appropriately so that he/she
can step on the pedals accurately.
• The driver should drive with the correct driving position. It is particularly
important in a situation requiring frequent switching between pedals.
48

Factors Leading to Pedal
Misapplication (6)• Carelessness causes pedal misapplication.
• Distraction, thinking about something, and being absentminded
are factors that lead to pedal misapplication.
• There are two processes as follows.
• Carelessness → oversight / delayed recognition → panic → pedal
misapplication• Carelessness → erroneous pedal operation → pedal misapplication

To prevent pedal misapplication• In situations requiring frequent steering wheel andpedal operations, the driver should concentrate on
driving and avoid becoming careless.
49

Issues Related to Elderly Drivers (1)• Why does pedal misapplication occur frequently among
elderly drivers?
(1) Deterioration of alertness function• Age-related decline in attention and cognition• Spatial range of attention becomes narrower• Range of storing information becomes narrower→ Oversight increases; unexpected situations and subjects increase→ Due to delayed recognition, cases of “surprise” increase→ Pedal misapplication occurs as a result of impulsive reactions
50

Issues Related to Elderly Drivers (2)• Why does pedal misapplication occur frequently among
elderly drivers?
(2) Age-related decline in behavioral control functions• Failing to perform actions in the correct order, skipping steps on theway, and performing incomplete actions impulsively increase.
→ Reactions occur in which the driver needs to “step on a pedal afterswitching pedals,” but he/she skips switching pedals and steps on thewrong pedal immediately.
→ Even when the driver realizes that he/she has stepped on the wrong
pedal, the driver is unable to immediately perform the corrective actionof “releasing the depressed pedal.”51