The Mainichi Daily Times in Japan reports that there have been at least 13 car accidents in Japan in the last year caused by car mats. This has usually been caused by the driver's mat getting caught on the pedals causing uncontrolled acceleration. Earlier this year, Toyota was forced to recall 3.8 million cars in the USA due to potentially dangerous mats fitted to many of their cars. The Japanese Transport Ministry offers this advice: "In case of uncontrolled acceleration, the driver should turn off the engine or put the vehicle in neutral, and then apply the brakes". It's well worth checking that your mats are properly secured to prevent them from getting snarled up in the pedals.
