Mistaking the gas for the brake

[CherryRed]

I really don't know how this is possible, unless you are completely insane, but how does one mistake the gas for the brake? I see news reports where an older person jumps the curb and runs into the side of the building because they did just that. If that were my parent, I would be taking away the keys!

 

[MaximumSpeed]

I did that *once* when I was first learning to drive. I was at a "T" and was needing to stop, but hit the gas, accidentally, instead. I got to the brake before going off the other side of the road, but it firmly entrenched in my mind WHICH was WHICH!

 

[DNADriver]

I don't mistake it, but swapping from one car to another I may occasionally catch the brake when I'm accelerating if the peddle gaps are different than my normal car. It just takes some getting used to.

 

[Fanbelt]

I have to admit that I have ever done it sometimes, especially when I don't fully concentrate on driving, but not to the point that it causes an accident.

 

[Midnight Tech]

I lost my dad and stepmom because of this...she panicked and floored the gas in the truck trying to stop - thinking it was the brake.

 

[vroombaby]

I have never done this and I really can not think of anyone that has, but I am sure it is possible esp. when you are first starting out. I know a few that have mistaken the clutch for the brake before when learning manual but that is about it.

 

[Carl55]

@ Midnight Tech ... I'm sorry to hear about your loss. That must have been so tragic.


I have often heard about elderly people doing this too. When something like that happens, I agree that it is time to take the keys away. Although taking keys away from old people can be really hard (speaking from experience). The best way to take keys from a stubborn old person is to just do it without them knowing you did it so they think they just lost the keys themselves:ssst:.

 

[Crissy]

I have to admit that I have done this a few times hwell:, but each time I did it I was parked with the parking break on. If anyone saw me, they would just think I was unnecessarily revving the engine. I'm so thankful that I had the parking break on each time!

 

[66Notchback]

Yep... the first time I drove an automatic, in fact.

I was also guilty of tromping on the brakes, my left foot looking for the clutch that wasn't there.