According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost two-thirds of accidents caused by drivers inadvertently pressing the gas pedal instead of the brakes tend to involve female drivers. Further, gas pedal accidents more frequently occur among drivers over the age of 76, followed by drivers under the age of 20. Researchers report that the frequency of gas pedal accidents in these age groups are probably due to the parts of the brain that support executive functioning (e.g., attention, organizing, planning), which are less developed in younger drivers and less likely to function properly in older drivers.
The study also found that gas pedal accidents are more likely to occur in parking lots, parking garages, and driveways. This is because drivers have less room and time to recover from their mistakes in parking lots, parking in garages, and driveways, as opposed to on the road.
A 2003 gas pedal accident in Santa Monica brought gas pedal accidents to national attention when an 86-year old male driver accidentally stepped on the gas pedal instead the brake. Ten people were killed and 63 more were injured as the panicked driver drove through a farmer’s market.
If you would like more information, please call the Pasadena Personal Injury Attorneys at the Law Offices of Mark Murad.