In almost all of the motor vehicles designed since, lets just say the early 1900’s, there are neat little pedals on the floor of the drivers compartment that are designed to perform various stop and go functions.  It stands to reason that these classy little devices are only able to perform their prescribed functions if they are, well – able to function.

The most common configuration in today’s, yesterday’s, and even most pre-historic motor cars will find two or three pedals on the floor, specifically designed to be pressed or un-pressed by the educated feet of the vehicle operator.

On the very right, is what is commonly referred to as the “accelerator” or “gas-pedal”.  It gets these names because, by pressing it, it will feed more gas into the engine, thereby increasing the engine speed and making the car accelerate.  In other words, it makes the buggy go.  Pressing it further, makes the buggy go faster.  It’s a really swell little pedal and it’s pretty basic to driving a motor vehicle.

Just to the left of the accelerator, we will most often find a second pedal called the “brake pedal”.  Pressing this puppy will (depending of the design of the braking system) usually push hydraulic fluid through neat little tubes which will in turn, push brake pads up against the wheel’s moving parts, making the car slow down or stop.  Also a very useful pedal when operating said vehicle.  Kinda’ worth knowing about.

If you happen to be driving a “not-automatic” type transmission, you will most likely find yet a third pedal to the left of the brake pedal, called a “clutch pedal”.  This will disengage the transmission allowing you to shift gears without grinding them into molten metal and embarrassing yourself in the process – but this isn’t a review about shifting and if you have an automatic transmission you won’t find this pedal.  The transmission shifts gears automatically.  Just don’t need the little ole’ clutch pedal. 

It goes without saying that these pedal things are pretty critical to the driving experience.  Most any educated driver’s footsies know this, and with anything more than a day out of driving school, they learn to master operation of the pedals without much further issue – but what if the pedals suddenly don’t do what they’re supposed to?  Uh Oh.  Big problems.

If you push the brake pedal and it doesn’t move, if you push the gas and it’s stuck, or worse, if you push the brake and the gas pedal responds instead – you’re likely to end up somewhere in the newspapers.  Not Good.

Okay, we’ve kind of been making light of this issue, but it is serious.  Things can get in the way of the pedals and if said things keep said pedals from doing what they’re supposed to do, you’re going to have a very “out of control” vehicle.  Out of control vehicles can get people killed or at best, very seriously injured.

It just happened last week on Long Island when a driver apparently pushed the brake pedal and instead, the gas pedal got “floored”.  Why?  Apparently a floor mat was bunched up under the brake pedal and when the stop button was pushed, the go button went to the floor.  The result?  A very respected individual crashed his vehicle into a building causing serious injury to multiple occupants who were enjoying a holiday party.  Many of the victims were children.

Gotta keep those pedals free of obstacles so they do what they’re intended to do.  Sounds simple but stuff happens.  Floor mats get bunched up.  Soda bottles pop out of the cup holders and wind up under the brake pedal.  Stuff on a cluttered floor can roll under those critical little pedals with absolutely devastating results.

If you should push a pedal and it doesn’t respond,  immediately realize that there may be something restricting its operation.  If it’s the brake pedal, push harder.  That plastic water bottle will probably collapse and allow the stop.  If the gas pedal doesn’t operate, get off of it, hit the four-ways, and look to see what the problem is.  In either case, you may have to quickly reach down to clear the obstacle. 

If you push the brake and the car goes faster?  Either you’re on the wrong pedal (it happens) or there’s an obstacle.  Let up, perhaps downshift, and reach to clear the problem.

Bottom line?  Better to keep those pedals clear of anything that will inhibit their function.  Floor mats must be smooth and firmly in place.  No junk on the driver’s floor please.  If you notice something falling on that floor, always assume it will end up in the worst place at the worst possible time.  Remove it as soon as safely possible.

Gotta’ keep those floor pedals clear to pedal.

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