ZH 
EN 
Drivers regularly see news of serious crashes caused by pressing the accelerator instead of the brake. Both pedals are worked by the right foot, and in a panic it is all too easy to hit the wrong one, with consequences that are hard to imagine. Here is how to reduce the risk.
1. In an automatic, keep your right foot over the brake whenever you are not accelerating, so it is already there when you need it.
2. When reversing without needing to accelerate, keep the right foot on the brake. Do not lean out of the window to look while reversing: changing your posture upsets your sense of where the pedals are and makes a mistake much more likely. If you cannot see clearly behind, stop with the brake held, then look, or get out and check.
3. Besides nerves, pressing the wrong pedal often comes from unfamiliarity with the car and immature technique. Know your vehicle's behaviour and build the switch between accelerator and brake into a reflex, so that an emergency lowers rather than raises the chance of error.
4. Concentrate while driving. Most wrong-pedal incidents happen during a lapse. No phone calls, no social feeds, nothing unrelated to driving.
5. Watch the road ahead constantly: crossings, junctions, lights. Look as far ahead as you can, ideally around 150 metres, rather than only at the bumper in front. A clear, far-reaching view matters.
