| I was so embarrassed for the women with the | | | | 3) The engine races wildly and starts to scream a |
| sticking gas pedal testifying in front of the | | | | terrible howl! |
| Congressional hearing for the Toyota recall. She said, | | | | 4) At the same instant the engine tachometer flies |
| "I called my husband on my Bluetooth because I | | | | into the "red or danger zone" |
| thought I was going to die and I wanted to hear his | | | | 5) The car feels like it is coasting or has no power |
| voice one more time". Sorry honey you should not | | | | 6) The motor may then blow itself up (NASCAR |
| even ride a bike let alone drive a car; you're a danger | | | | parlance: the engine lunched) |
| to you're self and all of us on the road! | | | | 7) You may loose power steering but your brakes |
| The real failure here is the lack of education on the | | | | should still work along with the electrical |
| parts of states, schools and automakers. I asked my | | | | 8) The motor may be in bits and pieces all over the |
| wife, daughters and many others people what they | | | | road and you may have oil on your tires |
| would do if the their gas pedal stuck and the car was | | | | 9) Keep the car in as straight as line as possible while |
| out of control. Not one of them knew what to do! | | | | heading for the side of the road |
| The answer? Simply slip the gear shift in neutral. | | | | 10) If you're on the interstate with several lanes to |
| To train yourself for this situation use your | | | | cross put the four-way flashers on and gently bring |
| imagination while sitting in your car; while holding the | | | | the car to a stop if the getting to the shoulder is not |
| brake pedal down, shift the car into drive. Now push | | | | possible |
| the stick or handle forward or up. It will glide easily in | | | | 11) Get out of the car as soon as possible because |
| neutral. Next try it while you're rolling slowing down a | | | | the there may be a fire danger from the oil of the |
| little used street or find an empty parking lot. The | | | | now destroyed engine |
| motor will rev or race a little but just take your foot | | | | 12) Once all are safe on the side of the road call |
| off the gas and put on the brakes and bring the car | | | | husband and tell him to start dinner; you'll be along |
| to a stop. Do this 3-4 times and you're ready for a | | | | soon |
| sticking gas pedal! Practice this routine several times a | | | | The schools and especially the automakers must |
| year for as long as you drive and you'll be fine in the | | | | make all aspects of automobile care and handling a |
| event of an emergency. | | | | much greater priority. With today's video game and |
| If the accelerator does stick in the wide-open-throttle | | | | on-line capabilities we should have mandatory |
| position this is what you can expect (all in a few | | | | simulation training equipment at every dealer and high |
| seconds): | | | | school. In order to keep your license every driver |
| 1) The car surges forward seemingly with a mind of | | | | would need to complete one hour every year on a |
| its own | | | | simulator that would replicate all sorts of traffic |
| 2) You calmly bump the transmission shifter into | | | | situations. |
| neutral | | | | |