On 03/07/2019 11:40, NY wrote:
"Martin Brown" wrote in message
...
I was in a crash caused by that error as a rear seat passenger. The
other driver insisted they pressed the brake as hard as they could but
their speed increased and there were no skid marks (pre ABS brakes).

Police crash investigators concluded they hit the accelerator pedal.

What is the typical police response if they suspect that the driver hit
the accelerator instead of the footbrake. Is it regarded as a venial sin
("ah, what a silly thing to do - try not to do it again") or is it

Pretty much.

treated as careless/dangerous driving, maybe with reactions checked in a
driving test? I get the impression that confusing the two controls is
regarded as less serious and more forgivable than driving at 35 in a 30
zone or going through a red traffic light 2 seconds after it has changed
when there's no other traffic around (I'd regard those latter two as far
less serious because they are technical, potential faults rather than an
actual collision-causing fault).

There was no prosecution although the road layout was improved
afterwards by moving hedges back so that the sight line at the junction
allowed you to better see the car that would be likely to hit you.



Originally the hedge was a yard from the kerb everywhere and there was a
very solid stone gate post just opposite where we came to rest.

My honest opinion is that both drivers made a mistake. The last thing I
can recall thinking before I passed out was "it's going to be close".

I have declutched the brake on an automatic car more than once -
usually in an unfamiliar hire car when approaching a complicated pay
station chicane in some horrible dingy multistorey carpark.

Likewise - usually because of my foot, instinctively feeling for the
non-existent clutch, catches that stupid double-width brake pedal that
all automatic cars are fitted with for some godforsaken reason.

It is a classic error when using an automatic car when used to a manual.
Basically in moments of stress it is all to easy to declutch the brake.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown