Bruce, I liked your write up, but I have a much simpler solution to
proper (read ergonomic and idiot proof) car design, when it comes to
stuck gas pedals. As someone who experienced this situation, I
sympathize with all others who had it.

My proposed solution would be to detect when gas AND brake pedals are
engaged simultaneously, and perform the following:

1) Disengage the transmission
2) Ignore the gas pedal signal and treat it as not depressed at all.

These two things can cure those dangerous situations.

I agree also that any car, no matter how "smart", should have a very
easy means of killing the engine NO MATTER WHAT.

i