. (1) Pedal error occurs when the driver of an automobile mistakenly presses down on the accelerator instead of the brake pedal. (2) This leads to unintended acceleration, which, in turn, can frequently result in an accident. (3) It seems as though stepping on the wrong pedal would be an unlikely occurrence. (4) However, an analysis of pedal error shows that this mistake is easier to make than you might think. (5) A driver sometimes turns his upper body a little to the left at the same moment that he moves his right foot toward the brake pedal. (6) The driver might turn his upper body to the right to look in the left side mirror or to reach for his seatbelt. (7) Or, if he is in reverse, he might look over his left shoulder to make sure that it is safe to back up. (8) This turning of the upper body could cause his right foot to move slightly to the right. (9) As he unconsciously moves his foot to the right, he may end up hitting the accelerator rather than the brake. (10) Instead of stopping and remaining stationary, the car in fact begins to accelerate. (11) Believing that his foot is on the brake, the driver presses his foot down harder in an effort to stop the car. (12) Obviously, this action only makes the problem worse. (13) Pedal error is more likely to occur if the driver has just gotten into the car and started it, if the driver is unfamiliar with the car, or if the driver is shorter than average.