What is the immediate action if the accelerator pedal gets stuck?

If the accelerator pedal gets stuck, the immediate action to take is to shift the vehicle into neutral and steer to safety. This is critical because shifting to neutral disengages the engine from the wheels, allowing you to regain control of the vehicle and stop acceleration. Steering to safety is important to navigate the vehicle away from potential hazards, such as traffic or obstacles, ensuring that you can manage the situation without losing control.

While stepping hard on the brake might seem like a reasonable response, it could lead to losing control of the vehicle since the engine is still driving the wheels. Turning off the engine can also be problematic; it may result in a loss of power steering and brakes, making it difficult to maneuver the vehicle. Pulling over to the side could be part of a later step after addressing the immediate danger of acceleration. Therefore, shifting to neutral is the most effective and immediate way to address the situation.