Translated from a French newspaper:
"Banned after tragic accident - Driver was wearing stiletto heels -
A young woman whose car struck two pedestrians - leaving one dead and another seriously injured - was yesterday banned from driving for two years.
Catherine M., 25, pleaded guilty to careless driving.
(…)
Catherine M. was attemping to stop for a red light when her stiletto heel got stuck on the gas pedal. She panicked and struggled to pull it off, but only managed to press the gas pedal harder. This caused her vehicle to run over pedestrians Nicole P. and Laurence L.
(…)
She was wearing shoes with 7-centimeter-heels at the time of the accident."
Would it be the same here in the UK ? Is it illegal to wear high heels for driving ?
2006-12-06 20:22:49 · 28 answers · asked by karen_va1 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
I don't know, but I got a fine for driving barefoot
2006-12-06 20:24:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a popular subject, also on TV. I watched one last week
and the test driver explained and showed why high heels do
impair driving. The main problem was to brake suddenly, so he
claimed. In this case, the tiny toe can easily slip, and if not, the
lady can not handle an emergency when she has to step hard
and suddenly. The test driver was very convincing, and at the
end, mentioned the stress on the foot would cause discomfort
and lack of control of the vehicle. So, not being an expert, I can
see that he was correct. He had a doctor with him to explain that
the anatomy of the foot did not accept the angle caused by heels.
2006-12-06 21:01:44 · answer #2 · answered by Ricky 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What a sad story - I'm sure the driver is devastated. This could have happened to any woman dirver. I don't know what the law says in Ireland about shoes, but as someone has alredy said a driver must be in control of the vechicle at all times, & if one is wearing heals or heavy, inflexible shoes, then one isn't in control. Personally I always wear flat shoes driving, so that I can feel the pedals. I bring high hels to change into at my destination. Drivers (including males) do more dangerous things behind the wheels of their cars - we should all be more careful.
2006-12-06 20:42:08 · answer #3 · answered by Caro 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I am sorry to say this but yes, clearly the French lady was not in control of her vehicle so was driving without due care and attention, high heels are not a suitable thing to wear when driving, she basically caused a death and serious injury for the sake of fashion, she was not using her noodles when she got behind the wheel, she is lucky to get off with a ban, she should in my view have been charged for man slaughter.
2006-12-06 20:40:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not illegal to wear high heels no - but the Police could argue that she doesn't have 'proper control of her vehicle' contrary to Road Traffic Act and therefore could be prosecuted either for dangerous driving or causing death by dangerous driving.
In my opinion - French legal system perfectly correct to prosecute woman and agree whole-heartedly with outcome. Also agree that if in UK, should also be 'Golden Rule' here too.
2006-12-06 20:39:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heels don't kill people, people kill people. What happens if a killer uses a toe-sock or a piece of underwear to strangle his next victim? Are we going to have a law against toe-socks or underwear next? Or maybe only killers aren't allowed to wear toe-socks or underwear?
Well, all joking aside. It was not the high heels that caused others harm, it was careless driving--which I believe is illegal in any part of the civilized world.
I don't think we need more specific laws about what people can or cannot do. We need to GET RID of A LOT of SPECIFIC and PETTY LAWS. There are many laws that have outlived their purpose and need cleaning up. There are laws that should never have been made, stupid laws and unfair laws. We have too many laws. This is a moneymaker for lawyers and allows "legal" abuse in the courts.
We don't need more laws, we need BETTER laws in place of all the laws that are in need of a clean-up. We need JUST, SIMPLE and GENERAL laws, making people INESCAPABLY ACCOUNTABLE for their actions, to the extent that it can proven that their choices has any influence on other peoples lives, safety and freedom to make their choices as well.
Freedom doesn't come for free. While we should be free to make our own choices and live our own lives--to the extent that it doesn't infringe on other people's rights and freedoms to live their lives. We are not free to disrespect others freedom with our selfish, thoughtless, mindless or inconsiderate choices, then we've abused our personal freedom and there should be consequences to our actions.
2006-12-08 22:06:49 · answer #6 · answered by ghost 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hippo George, no you didn't get a fine for driving barefoot if you're in the US, since it's not against the law in any state. You may have gotten a ticket for not having your vehicle under your control or something, but I would bet the ticket didn't say anything about being barefoot.
I have no ideas what the laws would be in the UK though.
http://tafkac.org/legal/driving.barefoot/driving_barefoot.html
2006-12-06 21:56:29 · answer #7 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would anyone wear heels while driving?
It is not a fashion impression to make - as the person driving the vehicle is in control of a lethal weapon, the onus of safety is the drivers responsibility.
2006-12-06 23:17:26 · answer #8 · answered by Angel Wings 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fact that she pressed down on the accelerator and not lifted her foot might have something to do with the conviction. How stupid do you have to be to do that!
As for shoes, I don't think its illegal to drive with high heels on, but it is illegal to drive with your laces undone and also to drive wearing wellington boots!
Oh - and check the boot the next time your in a black cab in London. If they don't have some hay for their horse then they're breaking the law! Crazy or what!
2006-12-06 20:36:32 · answer #9 · answered by wally_zebon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lol
well going back to when i was learning to drive my driving instructor did say to me that the best drivers wear sensible shoes
i thought he was being sexist
but i decided to be a bus driver a few years later and the instructor said the same thing
it's common sense not to wear high heels
I've tried and did almost the same thing lol
thank fully there was nothing on the road
I'll stick to trainers it's comfier and better grip on the peddles
it's not illegal but logical
2006-12-09 02:50:46 · answer #10 · answered by needanswers 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can drive safely, it doesn't matter what you wear. If you drive wearing shoes you can't control, you deserve to be punished.
If the same had happened in the UK, she would probably have been prosecuted for causing death by dangerous driving and got 18 months in gaol.
2006-12-06 20:31:58 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋