As Toyota recalls thousands of its cars in the UK due to accelerator problems, IAM Fleet and Drive and Survive has offered advice to business drivers on what to do in event of an engineering malfunction.
Simon Elstow said: “Keep calm – surprisingly the perception of the average driver with a stuck accelerator is that they can’t brake either, but this is a misconception brought on by panic.
“Press the brake firmly, then the clutch, disengaging the power.
“In an automatic, drivers should brake, wait for a reaction from the vehicle and then put the car into neutral.
“You can still steer, too, so a stuck accelerator isn’t actually the disaster it sounds.”
Look for somewhere to stop safely, indicate and make the manoeuvre as you would under normal circumstances.
Elstow added: “There will be loud revving in the background and you will probably be in a state of shock, but if you remain calm you can avoid serious danger.”