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Uncontrollable urge

I had a crash in October 2009, when I was parking my automatic medium size estate car. As I engaged reverse, and pressed the throttle pedal, the car took off like a rocket. At that point I could not remove my foot from the throttle pedal, consequently could not find the brake pedal either. The car carried on bumping over kerb of layby, across a minor road, over two kerbs, onto a front garden of a house, flattened a medium tree, smashed into two cars, one forced into a garage door and finally damaged a brick porch of an adjoining house. During this fast drive I was being tossed about in the car. Luckily there was no one about, and I suffered no injury. Needless to say my car was a write-off. Now I face all sort of charges. My car was a 2005 model, and I was the second owner when it was only one year old. I tried, but cannot trace the original owner. I tried to get the insurers to have the car checked for inbuilt fault, but they said it the had passed two MOTs. That being the case we had no case. The car was serviced regularly. I had sleepless nights. The process went through my head many times. At speed, I tried to remove my foot from the accelerator pedal, but I could not. Could not get to the brake pedal either. Being a member WHICH?, I phoned them and explained my problem. Their first response was, I need a solicitor. But after a while they said I should write to the carmaker VOLVO so they can be aware of the problem. This I did, and I also sent a copy of this letter to Which? So far I have had no response from either. Which? has since guided me to a legal aid solicitor, but this is mainly in preparation pending summons to the court for reckless driving. Can you offer any help at this stage

Asked on 3 April 2010 by D.A., Stoke Poges

Answered by Honest John
You obviously had a spasm, but your total lack of control of the car was caused by the dogma that automatic drivers should only drive one footed. You have two feet. There are two pedals in an automatic car. So the obvious way to maintain full control over it at all times (but
especially while manoeuvring) is left foot for the brake, right foot for
the accelerator. Explained in more detail at:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/faq.htm?id=15
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