Accidents caused by pressing the accelerator and brake incorrectly continue to occur. Why do accidents happen?
Endless missteps
According to the Traffic Accident Analysis Center, there will be 3,050 accidents caused by pressing the brake pedal or accelerator incorrectly in 2022, resulting in 48 deaths and 4,289 injuries.
Although the number of accidents has been halved over the past 10 years due to advances in car technology, many people are still injured.
Looking at drivers who caused accidents by age group, 70's accounted for the most at 23.4%, followed by 20's at 14.7%, and 80's at 13.6%.
According to the center's analysis, accidents caused by pressing the accelerator while trying to apply the brake were: ▽ while trying to turn or stop the car in a parking lot; ▽ when driving behind a stopped car in front of an intersection. , ▽This often occurs when trying to exit the facility onto the road.
It is said to be more likely to occur when you have to repeatedly press the accelerator and brake pedals, when you need to be careful about cars and pedestrians, when you are driving in an unfamiliar car, or when you are wearing inappropriate footwear such as sandals.
Elderly drivers need to be especially careful
It is said that elderly drivers need to be especially careful not to press the wrong pedal.
In addition to the effects of aging, such as ``declining visual function,'' ``declining attention and focus,'' and ``delays and errors in information processing,'' it is said that people are more likely to get flustered or panic and make mistakes.
As a result of analyzing past pedal misapplication accidents, it was found that drivers over the age of 55 are more likely to fail to stop and collide with another object after one collision, and that they are more likely to cause multiple people to be involved in an accident. about it.
Elderly drivers also need to be careful when backing up their cars.
The center conducted an investigation and found that when people twist their upper body to the right, such as when opening a window and facing backwards, their thighs tend to open wider and the tip of their right foot tends to move closer to the gas pedal.
Support car and license return
Advances are also being made in technology to prevent accidents involving older drivers.
One of them is the support car.
This vehicle is equipped with a function that automatically applies the brakes when it detects a car or person in front of it, and a device that prevents the vehicle from starting suddenly even if you press the accelerator hard instead of thinking about the brake.
Some local governments provide subsidies for purchasing costs.
Police are also asking people who are concerned about driving to surrender their licenses.
How to prevent pedal misapplication accidents
The Traffic Accident Analysis Center has compiled a list of ways to keep in mind while driving to prevent pedal press accidents.
Utilizing the Creep Phenomenon In parking lots, etc., it is said that taking advantage of the creep phenomenon, in which the vehicle moves at a low speed with one's foot on the brake without pressing the accelerator, as much as possible is effective in preventing erroneous pedal presses and sudden starts.
▽Check your surroundings.In order to avoid panicking when a pedestrian or car appears unexpectedly, be aware of your surroundings, be more attentive, and try to respond calmly.▽Driving Re-checking operations Due to decreased physical ability and flexibility, your body may not be able to move as expected, and you may make unintentional operating errors.
It is important to have the correct seat position and correct driving posture.
▽Concentrate on driving Always try to drive with a relaxed mind, and do not operate the car navigation system at the same time while driving and concentrate on driving.
It is said that it is important for each person to be mindful in order to prevent a repeat of a tragic accident.