Footwear whilst driving? Flip flops illegal?
Discussion
I can't answer for Scottish legislation as they tend to be at times a law on to themselves even though they still use our road traffic act, but as for the rest of the country, there is no legislation which states that only a certain type of footwear can or cannot be used, and in 30+ years in the legal profession, I have never heard of anyone being prosecuted for wearing flip flops or for driving in bare feet.
To convict of careless driving, it has to be shown that the standard of driving fell below that which would be expected of a reasonably competent driver or that there was a momentary lapse in concentration.
The only time the footwear could become an issue is if someone drove badly because of the type of footwear used in which case this fact would be used as evidence to support the prosecution.
I have seen this happen once when a young lady drove in something like 5 or 6 inch platforms and her right foot got wedged between the gas ands brake pedal and she was unable to slow down or stop resulting in a crash.
To convict of careless driving, it has to be shown that the standard of driving fell below that which would be expected of a reasonably competent driver or that there was a momentary lapse in concentration.
The only time the footwear could become an issue is if someone drove badly because of the type of footwear used in which case this fact would be used as evidence to support the prosecution.
I have seen this happen once when a young lady drove in something like 5 or 6 inch platforms and her right foot got wedged between the gas ands brake pedal and she was unable to slow down or stop resulting in a crash.
nick106 said:
Having just scanned the highway code, there is nothing black & white which states it is illegal to drive barefoot.
However.
Should an accident occur, it's possible to fall under "careless or dangerous driving" and that you were "not in a position to have proper control of the vehicle"
I've heard it could void insurance too.
How exactly can being barefoot, and having the utmost in sensory contact with the pedals, let alone more grip than a smoothed soled shoe, be illegal?However.
Should an accident occur, it's possible to fall under "careless or dangerous driving" and that you were "not in a position to have proper control of the vehicle"
I've heard it could void insurance too.
Well a dubious reference but apparently it's illegal to drive barefoot in Scotland;
http://www.ilovesheilas.com/ILS/News/ES_000209.htm...
http://www.ilovesheilas.com/ILS/News/ES_000209.htm...
G_T said:
Well a dubious reference but apparently it's illegal to drive barefoot in Scotland;
http://www.ilovesheilas.com/ILS/News/ES_000209.htm...
The interweb said:http://www.ilovesheilas.com/ILS/News/ES_000209.htm...
wiki said:
Another common myth is that it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while barefoot. Some people speculate that, because you use your feet while driving, there's more room for error and your feet could slip off of the pedals, resulting in an accident.[6] In fact, in all 50 states and territories in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, it is perfectly legal to drive barefoot.[6][7][8] However, in some jurisdictions, police officers may ticket you for other things if the fact that you were driving barefoot or in flip flops hindered your driving and/or resulted in an accident.[9]
Hmm, I can remember, albeit some years ago, a talk to the IAM group I was then in, from a local Class 1, telling us about the training and how those who had trouble with gearchanging being made to drive shoeless.
To provide the necessary sensitivity, I presumed.
Eta, me, if the footwear means I can work the pedals and heel and toe, it's ok.
Race boots do provide the best feel though but that's a bit ott for the road.
To provide the necessary sensitivity, I presumed.
Eta, me, if the footwear means I can work the pedals and heel and toe, it's ok.
Race boots do provide the best feel though but that's a bit ott for the road.
Edited by WhoseGeneration on Wednesday 12th August 22:07
WhoseGeneration said:
Race boots do provide the best feel though but that's a bit ott for the road.
Try the Puma non fireproof driving shoes, they're even better 
Race boots have quite thick soles. I actually use my Pumas for driving everything, even my BMW. I think it's a little safer, so I take the time to change my shoes before I drive anything.As for barefoot, it hurts my feet too much to even declutch!!
shakotan said:
nick106 said:
Having just scanned the highway code, there is nothing black & white which states it is illegal to drive barefoot.
However.
Should an accident occur, it's possible to fall under "careless or dangerous driving" and that you were "not in a position to have proper control of the vehicle"
I've heard it could void insurance too.
How exactly can being barefoot, and having the utmost in sensory contact with the pedals, let alone more grip than a smoothed soled shoe, be illegal?However.
Should an accident occur, it's possible to fall under "careless or dangerous driving" and that you were "not in a position to have proper control of the vehicle"
I've heard it could void insurance too.
I'm not suggesting it's illegal btw
reggie82 said:
I think safety is compromised driving barefoot. My reasoning behind this is that if you had to do an emergency stop, and had a bit of grit or something stuck to the bottom of your foot or on the pedal, you reactions would immediately take your foot back off the pedal as you applied pressure (or you atleast wouldnt be braking as hard as if you had shoes on).
I've heard this grit thing before on PH, and I have yet to experience this mysterious grit on the bottom of my foot whilst driving barefoot.It doesn't happen. If there is a bit of grit on your foot you will feel before you even start the engine and brush it off. If its on the pedal, then you will simply brush it away. And as for the rest - just vacuum the drivers footwell occasionally.
nick106 said:
BertBert said:
nick106 said:
I've heard it could void insurance too.
Another PH special. And just what reliable source did you hear it from then? 
Bert
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=illegal...
If you're as easily excited as my comment appears to have made you, I'm sure you can go and have a w
k to Upsy-Daisy In the night garden.Edited by nick106 on Friday 14th August 09:21
Bert
And yes the double-entendre was deliberate
If I'm ever wearing flip flops on a particular day and I jump in the car, I'll take them off and stick them in the passenger footwell. I see it as perfectly safe to drive barefoot -and cant see why anyone would think differently! Flip flops I find dangerous though and could see why this would be illegal.
tinman0 said:
reggie82 said:
I think safety is compromised driving barefoot. My reasoning behind this is that if you had to do an emergency stop, and had a bit of grit or something stuck to the bottom of your foot or on the pedal, you reactions would immediately take your foot back off the pedal as you applied pressure (or you atleast wouldnt be braking as hard as if you had shoes on).
I've heard this grit thing before on PH, and I have yet to experience this mysterious grit on the bottom of my foot whilst driving barefoot.It doesn't happen. If there is a bit of grit on your foot you will feel before you even start the engine and brush it off. If its on the pedal, then you will simply brush it away. And as for the rest - just vacuum the drivers footwell occasionally.
I think that the concept of something sharp on the bottom of your foot stopping you from braking is a possibility, but having had a similar problem I can vouch for the outcome. I was driving Dony and coming up to Goddards, I just got my foot to the brakes and had a huge cramp in my foot. The kind that has you leaping out of bed at night. The need to brake though was by far the dominating factor. I don't doubt that a stone on the bottom of one's foot would not get in the way of braking if needed!
Bert
Bert
Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff