Older drivers warned against ‘sudden change’ due to concerns over ‘pedal confusion’
Older drivers could suffer from pedal confusion if they switch from a manual car to an automatic in a major safety warning.
Motoring experts have warned older drivers about a little-known safety risk with specialists urging road users against making major changes.
Some elderly motorists will decide to ditch their manual petrol and diesel vehicles for an automatic car later in life on the assumption they will be easier.
Automatic cars do not require road users to change gears or press down on a clutch pedal making for seamless driving.
However, motorists who make a “sudden change” from one transmission could find the move backfires in a major safety concern.
Travelling in a manual car for many years would have built up muscle memory with elderly drivers at risk of “pedal confusion” when they switch.
This could mean motorists press down on the brake pedal too firmly believing it was instead a clutch pedal.
Drivers may also accidentally floor the accelerator instead of dabbing the brake as they come to a standstill.
The consequences could be horrific with older motorists putting their own and other people’s lives at risk.
Experts at the Older Drivers Forum revealed they hear of “far too many pedal confusion incidents”.
They urged drivers who were set on changing their transmission to make sure they secure some lessons from an instructor before setting off alone.
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They said: “We at the Older Drivers Forum do not recommend people suddenly change from a manual to an automatic without having some driving lessons.
“Unfortunately we hear of far too many pedal confusion incidents happening to drivers when they change from a manual to an automatic without getting some lessons to get used to the differences.
“Pedal confusion incidents happen because the driver presses the accelerator instead of the brake.”
However, a previous study from the University of Groningen Traffic Psychology Group found there may be some merit to making the transition.
According to their report, older drivers were involved in more collisions than younger motorists while behind the wheel of a manual vehicle.
The study concluded by supporting the advice for drivers to switch from manual to automatic gear shifting later in life.
Although researchers did point out that there could be some risks around motorists making the switch without any prior experience behind the wheel of an automatic vehicle
They explained: “For people who have been driving cars with manual transmission all their lives it might take some time to get used to automatic gear shifting.
“Especially older people may experience difficulties with learning new skills. For this reason, people could be advised to acquire driving experience in an automatic gear car already at a younger age too.”
