A foot-operated device for controlling engine power and braking effect in motor vehicles, said device comprising a pedal being pivotably mounted on a pedal holder about a first axis parallel to the plane of the pedal, and being intended for controlling the engine power and normal vehicle braking with the aid of mutually opposing pedal movements about said first axis which is fixed in relation to the pedal holder. The pedal holder is pivotably mounted in the vehicle about a second axis and is adapted to provide emergency braking at a relatively heavy depression of the pedal in the direction of the lower part of the leg of the vehicle operator by means of the movement of the pedal holder about said second axis as a result of said heavy depression of the pedal.