A pedal assembly (12) for a vehicle (10) includes a bracket (16), a pedal arm (20) and a support mechanism (26). The bracket (16) is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle structure (18) such as firewall or vehicle dashboard assembly. The pedal arm (20) extends downwardly from the bracket (16) to a distal end (22) for supporting a pedal pad (24). The support mechanism (26) interconnects the pedal arm (20) and the bracket (16) for allowing pivotal movement of the pedal arm (20) in an operating plane (28) relative to the bracket (16) during normal operation and for guiding the pedal arm (20) out of the operating plane (28) in response to a predetermined force between the pedal arm (20) and the bracket (16). Thus, under normal operation the pedal assembly (12) is pivotally moved between a rest position and a use position, but when the load exerted on the pedal pad (24) exceeds a pre-determined force the support mechanism (26) moves the pedal assembly (12) laterally with respect to the bracket (16) so that the pedal assembly (12) is moved away from a vehicle driver (14).