the over - ride of driver demand in a motor vehicle when the driver activates , at the same time , both the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal . the system comprises an engine control unit for controlling the engine , a driver accelerator control and a driver braking control . the accelerator and braking controls provide to the engine control unit , respectively , a driver demand signal and a braking demand signal that indicate , respectively , the level of driver engine demand and the level of driver braking demand . the engine control unit over - rides the driver demand signal to reduce engine power when , after a predetermined delay , both the driver demand signal and the braking demand signal are above predetermined levels of driver engine demand and driver braking demand .