Practice question

What action should be taken if your gas pedal sticks while driving?

  1. Shift to neutral, apply the brakes, and steer to safety
  2. Pump the gas pedal repeatedly
  3. Turn off the engine while driving
  4. Coast to a stop and immediately exit the vehicle

Answer: A — Shift to neutral, apply the brakes, and steer to safety

When the gas pedal sticks while driving, the appropriate action is to shift to neutral, apply the brakes, and steer to safety. This method allows the driver to disengage the engine's power from the wheels, which helps prevent losing control of the vehicle due to unwanted acceleration. Applying the brakes while in neutral provides the driver with the ability to slow down and safely navigate to the side of the road or another safe location. Choosing to pump the gas pedal repeatedly is not advisable, as this could further exacerbate the sticking issue rather than resolving it. Turning off the engine while driving can lead to a loss of steering and braking control, making it much more difficult to manage the vehicle's direction. Coasting to a stop and exiting the vehicle might not be safe or practical in all situations, especially if the vehicle is still moving at significant speed, and it does not address the immediate issue of controlling the vehicle.

Practice more: Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) Driver's Ed Practice Exam →