Forensic Science International: Reports (Jul 2022)
Report on pedal confusion in driving via forensic video
Abstract
Objective: This report, using objective evidence such as accident video, intends to show that a significant number of unintended acceleration (UA) accidents are caused by driver pedal confusion under certain circumstances. Background: In the absence of video, there have been many accidents in which the cause of the unintended acceleration episode was not clear; and it was only assumed that accident was caused by the driver's mistake, but this could not be proven. Methods: As criteria for determining pedal confusion, we suggest two conditions. We look at 27 UA episodes that were formally investigated by the authors upon request of the police from 2014 to 2021 in Daegu/Gyeongbuk region, Republic of Korea. The pedal confusion criteria applied to all cases of UA accidents. Results: Of the 27 UA accidents, 21 episodes were determined to be due to driver pedal confusion. From the accident statistics that occurred in our area, the average age of drivers suffering pedal confusion is relatively high at close to 65 or older, standard ages of elderly drivers in Korea. And it was found that UA accidents due to pedal confusion occur more frequently than expected. Conclusion: We can be certain, through accident video and EDR records, that some accidents involving collision after sudden acceleration were caused by pedal confusion.
