What should you do if you experience unintended acceleration in your vehicle?

Experiencing unintended acceleration can be a frightening situation for any driver. The recommended action in such a scenario is to shift to neutral and apply the brakes. This method is effective because shifting to neutral disengages the engine from the wheels, thereby preventing the vehicle from gaining further speed due to unintended acceleration. It allows the driver to maintain control of the vehicle and bring it to a stop safely.

Applying the brakes while in neutral can help slow down the vehicle without the interference of the engine’s power, which is critical in emergencies like this. Once the vehicle has been safely slowed down, the driver can then pull over to the side of the road to address the situation and ensure that the vehicle is no longer a hazard.

Turning off the engine might seem like a practical solution, but it can lead to loss of power steering and brakes, making it harder to control the vehicle. Accelerating to regain control is counterproductive and dangerous, as this would exacerbate the situation. Finally, pulling over quickly may not be feasible depending on the traffic situation and could lead to a loss of control if done abruptly. Therefore, shifting to neutral and applying brakes is the safest and most effective response to unintended acceleration.