Drivers should make sure they are comfortably seated in their vehicle and free of distractions to avoid the frightening situation of hitting the accelerator instead of the brake, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently said in an advisory.

The NHTSA says approximately 16,000 crashes occur each year in the United States because of pedal error. This mishap occurs when a driver's foot slips off the brake and presses the accelerator, when the driver intends to press the brake pedal but hits the accelerator instead, or when the driver accidentally steps on both the brake and accelerator.

Pedal error causes a vehicle to accelerate suddenly, increasing the risk of injury to the vehicle occupants, other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. It also increases the chance that the vehicle will cause property damage by colliding with other automobiles or objects.

Pressing the accelerator instead of the brake is most likely to occur when the driver is traveling at a low speed and more likely to need the brake pedal. These situations include pulling into a parking space or driveway, stop-and-go traffic, intersections, and highway exit ramps.

Pedal error can easily lead to a crash because the situation often occurs in a confined area where the driver has limited time to react. The driver is also more likely to be startled or panicked by the sudden acceleration.

Risk factors

The NHTSA says pedal error is most likely to affect the youngest and oldest drivers on the road. Drivers who are under the age of 20 or over the age of 65 are four times as likely as other drivers to be affected by pedal error. A 2012 study by the NHTSA says this distribution is a result of a brain process known as executive function, which is not fully developed in younger drivers and begins to decline at older ages.

Female drivers were also more likely to be in an accident caused by pedal error, with the 2012 study indicating two-thirds of the drivers in the pedal error crashes analyzed by the researchers were women. The study says women are more likely to be shorter in height and have more difficulty finding a comfortable distribution between the seat, steering wheel, and pedals. Researchers also said older women may be more susceptible to medical conditions, such as neuropathy, which increase the likelihood of pedal error.

Distraction was a leading factor in pedal error crashes. An analysis of pedal error crashes in North Carolina determined that 44 percent of these accidents were caused because the driver was distracted. When confronted with an unexpected situation, an inattentive driver has less time to react and is more likely to press the wrong pedal when trying to stop.

Other factors that were found to contribute to pedal error included drivers who were out of position, such as reaching into the back seat or other area of the vehicle; unfamiliarity with the vehicle; physical impairments, such as driving with a leg cast or experiencing numbness in the foot; and drivers who had started using both feet to operate the pedals at an older age.

Prevention

The NHTSA says drivers should be familiar with the vehicle they are driving to reduce the risk of pedal error. Before starting the engine, set the seat, mirrors, and steering wheel so that you can comfortably operate the pedals. In some vehicle models, the pedals themselves can be adjusted. These adjustments are especially important if you are driving a new or otherwise unfamiliar vehicle.

When you brake, get into the habit of aiming for the center of the pedal. Doing so develops muscle memory and reduces the chance that your foot will slip off or that you will hit the accelerator by mistake.

Avoid distractions, such as using a cell phone, looking away from the road, or reaching for objects. Some of these actions will put you out of the normal driving position, making it more likely that you will press the wrong pedal. Others will reduce your reaction time, increasing the possibility that you will hit the accelerator while trying to quickly hit the brake.

Use extra caution in situations where pedal error is more likely. You should proceed slowly and carefully when pulling into or out of a parking space, exiting a highway, or traveling through congested areas.

Your footwear can also affect how easily you are able to use the pedals. The NHTSA recommends using lightweight shoes with flat soles when driving. It is harder to use the pedals while wearing footwear such as flip-flops, heavy boots, and high heels.