Summary
This report presents a detailed examination of pedal misapplication incidents, focusing on the characteristics of collisions attributed to this issue. The study aims to analyze the roles of drivers, vehicles, roadways, and environmental factors in these collisions, as well as the severity of injuries resulting from them. A systematic literature review identified 18 academic papers and 10 media articles related to pedal misapplication, revealing that such incidents can occur throughout the driving cycle and are associated with various risk factors, including age and cognitive impairment. The report utilizes real-world collision data from the Road Accident In-Depth Studies (RAIDS) database, covering incidents from 2012 to 2023, to further investigate pedal misapplication cases. The findings indicate that a significant number of these collisions occur at low speeds, particularly during vehicle start-up and parking maneuvers. The report also discusses potential countermeasures and technologies that could mitigate the risks associated with pedal misapplication, emphasizing the need for improved vehicle safety systems.
