SAN DIEGO -- A stuck accelerator resulted in the tragic death of four San Diegans, even though shifting into neutral or turning the car off could have slowed the car down. 10News I-Team reporter Mitch Blacher asked drivers if they knew what to do at the moment of crisis.

Drivers who don't have a car with a push start button may not know how to turn it off in an emergency. But more and more cars are using push button starts, so drivers may end up behind the wheel of a rental or a loaner, and may need to know how to stop the car using the push button.

Off-duty California Highway Patrol officer Mark Saylor's rented Lexus sedan didn't slow down or stop, resulting in a crash that killed his wife, daughter and brother-in-law. A vehicle that won't slow down or stop is a common problem, according to drivers on car forums like Edmunds.com.

One driver wrote: "I was surprised that my car won't slow down."

Another said: "The car wouldn't slow down no matter how hard I pressed on the brake."

A preliminary investigation points to floor mats, causing the accelerator to jam. But the I-Team discovered another feature could have prevented the car from stopping. A push button starter is popular in new cars like the one Saylor was driving. Experts said they don't know whether or not he tried to stop or slow down by shifting to another gear or pushing the starter button. The problem for drivers is how long they'd have to hold that button down.

Drivers like the push button starter as a convenience feature, but it's a driver's confidence in being able to cut the engine in an emergency that could be the difference between life and death.

"I'm a little concerned but read your owners manual; that's what we did," said Scott Grucza, who owns a 2008 GMC Acadia.

Drivers in an emergency situation may not know what to do.

"When you're in a panic, no matter what the situation, you're not able to think clearly or function," said Ron, a mechanic who preferred not to give his last name for this report.

At least 18 manufacturers offer the push start button including Acura, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Mini, Toyota and Volvo.

While it's primarily available on high-end cars, the push button starter is getting more mainstream and showing up in cars all over the world.