A pedal assembly for operating a push rod that activates a functional system of a vehicle, the pedal assembly comprising: a pedal arm comprising an elongated structure; an intermediate link comprising a first link and a second link in a parallel configuration; an activation link; a pedal plate provided on a second end of the elongated structure of the pedal arm, the pedal plate being accessible by a foot of a driver; a first end of each of the first and second links (52 and 54) of the intermediate link being connected to the actuation link and a second end of each of the first and second links (52 and 54) being pivotally connected to a first end of the elongated structure of the pedal arm; wherein pivotal movement of the pedal arm is configured to pivotally move the intermediate link, and wherein pivotal movement of the intermediate link is configured to actuate pivotal movement of the actuation link, the actuation link being configured to connect a push rod to the intermediate link and to enable pushing of the push rod via pivotal movement of the intermediate link as a result of pivoting of the pedal arm; characterised by a release mechanism comprising a release lever and an actuation mechanism, the release lever being configured to pivot between a first position and a second position, and having a contact portion for being contacted to pivot the release lever between the first and second positions; wherein the release lever is configured to disconnect the first and second links (52 and 54) of the intermediate link from the actuation link in the second position by forcing the first and second links relatively apart so as to disconnect from the activation link, and the actuation mechanism being configured to mount to a vehicle structure in spaced relation to the contact portion of the release lever, the actuation mechanism being configured to contact the contact portion during a vehicle collision and actuate the pivoting of the release lever from the first position to the second position to disconnect the first and second links (52 and 54) of the intermediate link from the actuation link. a pedal arm comprising an elongated structure; an intermediate link comprising a first link and a second link in a parallel configuration; an activation link; a pedal plate provided on a second end of the elongated structure of the pedal arm, the pedal plate being accessible by a foot of a driver; a first end of each of the first and second links (52 and 54) of the intermediate link being connected to the actuation link and a second end of each of the first and second links (52 and 54) being pivotally connected to a first end of the elongated structure of the pedal arm; wherein pivotal movement of the pedal arm is configured to pivotally move the intermediate link, and wherein pivotal movement of the intermediate link is configured to actuate pivotal movement of the actuation link, the actuation link being configured to connect a push rod to the intermediate link and to enable pushing of the push rod via pivotal movement of the intermediate link as a result of pivoting of the pedal arm; characterised by a release mechanism comprising a release lever and an actuation mechanism, the release lever being configured to pivot between a first position and a second position, and having a contact portion for being contacted to pivot the release lever between the first and second positions; wherein the release lever is configured to disconnect the first and second links (52 and 54) of the intermediate link from the actuation link in the second position by forcing the first and second links relatively apart so as to disconnect from the activation link, and the actuation mechanism being configured to mount to a vehicle structure in spaced relation to the contact portion of the release lever, the actuation mechanism being configured to contact the contact portion during a vehicle collision and actuate the pivoting of the release lever from the first position to the second position to disconnect the first and second links (52 and 54) of the intermediate link from the actuation link.