踏(ふ)み間違(まちが)え

ふみまちがえ
noun
pedal misapplication; stepping on the wrong pedal
transportation
1. pressing the wrong pedal (accelerator instead of brake)
Stepping on the wrong pedal while driving—most often pressing the accelerator when meaning to brake. A frequent cause of accidents, often discussed in connection with elderly drivers. The noun form of 踏(ふ)み間違(まちが)える.
アクセルとブレーキの踏(ふ)み間違(まちが)え。
Confusing the accelerator and the brake.
踏(ふ)み間違(まちが)えによる事故(じこ)が増(ふ)えている。
Accidents caused by pedal misapplication are increasing.
A device to prevent pedal misapplication by elderly drivers has been developed.

The noun form of 踏(ふ)み間違(まちが)える (to step on the wrong thing). In practice it almost always refers to pedal confusion when driving.

Common collocations