It seems that various physical and psychological factors are responsible for this. Since it is difficult in itself to verify the data at the time of an accident, nothing definite can be said. However, it is thought that “deterioration of cognitive functions associated with aging” is an important factor.

This means that although the person thinks that he/she performed a normal pedal operation, he/she actually did not move his/her foot. I think that it is from here that people come to feel that they “stepped on the brakes, but the car did not stop.” In addition, in case the driver inadvertently stepped on the accelerator, all that is required is to release the pedal immediately, but in reality, the driver continues to step on that pedal, leading to an accident. I believe that this is also related to behavioral control function. Apart from that, I believe that there is the issue of the person’s being unable to move his/her body as he/she desires.

As is well known, in Japan, cognitive functions are measured along with holding training sessions for the elderly targeting drivers aged 75 or older (for cognitive function tests, refer to the Page on National Police Agency’s Website).

However, if we think about it, cognitive functions, as a matter of fact, do not change suddenly when a person reaches the age of 75. In our research group, by measuring and comparing the cognitive functions of older people, we studied matters thought to be related to driving, particularly accelerator and brake pedal misapplication. The reason that we measure cognitive functions is that cognitive functions are deeply related to the processes leading to the realization of our actions. In other words, it is thought that cognitive functions direct us to determine our final actions.

At present, we are conducting a number of studies, focusing on a cognitive function called “inhibition function” . In addition, along with cognitive functions such as the inhibition function, we believe that it is important to conduct our studies from the aspect of motor functions.

As such, we think that understanding the series of processes of cognition and movement in our behavior is necessary in clarifying the factors causing accelerator and brake pedal misapplication.

The accelerator pedal is depressed with the heel in At driving schools, it seems that students are taught to step on the accelerator pedal with the heel on the floor and to step on the brake pedal with the heel off the floor. It is said that many instructors teach this method. In the curriculum guidelines on skill training, it is written as follows: In the case of stepping on the accelerator pedal, “step quietly with the toe with the heel on the floor and while moving the ankle lightly and with the heel as the fulcrum,” while in the case of stepping on the brake pedal, “step gradually on the center of the brake pedal with the part of the foot near the base of the toes.” Also, it seems that students are taught to step on the pedal with the foot upright. However, there are cases where some automakers are not assuming that drivers will employ this method of stepping.

As our survey results show, there are considerable individual differences in pedal operation methods, and people employ different operation methods. We have yet to make clear comments on the relationship between pedal operation methods and pedal misapplication. However, considering that pedal operations are performed through physical senses rather than while looking at the pedals, it is thought that operating the pedals while the body direction is unstable or that the heel is not touching the floor at all (possible when the driver is of small physique or that the seat height adjustment has not been done properly) poses a risk. We believe that before driving, it is beneficial to be seated with the body facing straight forward, taking the proper driving position, and adjusting the seat height to keep the heel in a position where it touches the floor when stepping on the pedal.

To some extent there are people who use both feet to operate the pedals – brake with left foot and accelerator with the right foot. It seems that some people believe that using both feet to operate the pedals eliminates pedal misapplication. Certainly, it seems that pedal misapplication is unlikely using both feet compared to using one foot, as each feet separately handle the accelerator and brake pedals. However, we believe that no credible research has been conducted as to whether this method is really less prone to pedal misapplication, or whether there may be problems other than pedal misapplication associated with this method.

Cognitive functions will change with age, I think that it is necessary to drive in accordance with the change. With regard to confirmation, I believe that a person during his/her younger days was able to quickly confirm various things without looking at each thing as long as those things are captured within the person’s field of vision, but this will gradually become increasingly difficult. Also, I think that the possibility of becoming surprised (panic) due to delayed recognition will increase compared to when the person was young. However, considering that there is a possibility that a person overlooks things that he/she would have been able to recognize in his/her younger days as the amount and scope of attention decrease with age, and reacts improperly on impulse when the person panicked (i.e., stepping on a pedal abruptly without switching pedals is an example), I think that it is necessary to drive more slowly than before, concentrate on driving, and drive while looking without fail at every single thing that needs to be confirmed. In particular, I think that this is a very important point in a complex operating environment such as a parking lot.

At first glance, this may not seem to be a countermeasure against pedal misapplication, but it will become possible for drivers to reduce oversight and react without panicking and with ample time at a time when it is necessary to react. In the end, this will lead to reducing various accidents including pedal misapplication.