How to stop a runaway car - opportune advice !

Published 09th Mar 2010

Drivers faced with a stuck accelerator pedal should simply put the car in neutral, find a safe place to pull over and brake to a stop, according to Britain's Automobile Association (AA).

Toyota has been forced to recall nearly nine million cars, mainly due to problems with accelerator pedals, and it emerged today that the owner of a runaway Prius in the United States only managed to stop his car after police told him to drive up a hill and apply the hand and foot brake at the same time.

"There is a great deal of hype around this issue, said Andrew Howard, the head of road safety for the AA: "The right thing to do is put the car in neutral, which, if you are in Britain usually means putting your foot on the clutch.

"If your car is automatic, you put the gear stick in neutral. Then you can find a safe place to stop and apply the brakes."

However, Mr Howard advised against simply turning the car off while driving. "The problem with turning the ignition off is that you could disable your power steering and your servo-assisted braking," he said.

Mr Howard said that in a situation where a driver experiences difficulties with the accelerator pedal, the understandable reaction is to panic because the engine is screaming at high revs.

But he said: “The best thing to do is simply ignore the screaming engine, wait until you are stopped and then switch off."

Stephen Mead, assistant chief examiner for the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), agrees.

“Keep calm. Surprisingly, the perception of the average driver with a stuck accelerator is that they can’t brake either, but this is a misconception brought on by panic.

He said: “Press the brake firmly, then the clutch, disengaging the power. In an automatic, drivers should brake, wait for a reaction from the vehicle and then put the car into neutral.

"You can still steer, too, so a stuck accelerator isn’t actually the disaster it sounds.”

Mr Mead added: "Look for somewhere to stop safely, indicate and make the manoeuvre as you would under normal circumstances.

"There will be loud revving in the background and you will probably be in a state of shock, but if you remain calm you can avoid serious danger.”

Source: ' Times '

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