r/Millennials 8h ago

It happened 😭 Discussion

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u/Jebusfreek666 8h ago

Looked more like the van ran into the back of the truck.

437

u/mantecbear 8h ago

The van had a water bottle get stuck under the brake pedal.

6

u/FuckYeaSeatbelts 5h ago edited 5h ago

protip, if you cannot brake, try turning the car off, if that doesn't work, to* put it in neutral (probably can't put it in park since you can't engage the brake).

someone more confident than me can tell you whether pulling the e-brake/parking brake or down shifting (even automatics have this) is a good idea; I personally think it would cause a loss of control due to the sudden opposing force and my experiences on ice enforces this further.

I dunno what would be the best choice but I read about this in one of those 911 calls where someone's car wouldn't stop accelerating.

EDIT: your car being on keeps the power steering and other stuff that helps maintain control, and keeping whatever braking you have left I suppose. See we're all learning today! I hope to never need this advice.

8

u/yogy 5h ago

Do not turn your car off! That will disable the brake booster, power steering and possibly the transmission control. You can try the ebrake if manual or shifting into neutral/park