If, while driving, the accelerator pedal gets stuck and the engine is racing, what should you do?

When the accelerator pedal gets stuck and the engine is racing, shifting to neutral is the most appropriate response. By moving the gear shift to neutral, you disconnect the engine power from the wheels, which allows the vehicle to coast without accelerating further. This action effectively helps regain control of the vehicle and can prevent potential accidents caused by unintended acceleration.

While pressing the brake pedal is a natural reaction, doing so alone may not suffice if the vehicle continues to accelerate. Shifting to reverse could be dangerous and may cause additional mechanical issues, and turning off the engine, while it may stop acceleration, can lead to a loss of power steering and braking, making it harder to control the vehicle. Therefore, shifting to neutral is the safest and most immediate solution to bring the vehicle under control.