Stuck on go? Keep calm and hit the brakes

As Toyota recalls millions of cars with accelerator problems, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is advising drivers of all vehicles on the best thing to do in the event of an engineering malfunction.

Keep calm and carry on is the message, with the IAM pointing out that just because one system has failed, it does not necessarily mean others have as well.

"This is a misconception brought on by panic," explained IAM assistant chief examiner Stephen Mead, adding: "Press the brake firmly, then the clutch, disengaging the power."

Drivers of automatic vehicles should brake, wait for a reaction, then put the car into neutral.

The motoring expert also pointed out that steering should still be working, "so a stuck accelerator isn't actually the disaster it sounds".

Toyota has explained to owners of its vehicles that the accelerator problem is not one that develops suddenly and will be preceded by warning signs such as the accelerator pedal becoming harder to depress.