I've heard from friends that it is legal to drive in flip flops but not in bare feet.
Seems barmy as i know a friend whose flip flops slipped and her foot jammed between the accelerator and brake- unfortunately she hit a motorcyclist who got hospitalised (and fortunately survived)
2007-04-30 06:30:22 · 18 answers · asked by Icarus 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
I don't have a link to the UK driving laws, but it's NOT illegal anywhere in the US. I do have proof for that in the source. Also two articles, from the Michigan state police FAQ and an Australian newspaper, that are of interest to those who believe bare feet would lead to less control of your vehicle.
2007-04-30 11:11:05 · answer #1 · answered by Sheriam 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not illegal to drive in bare feet. In many ways it's probably safer - providing that you have non-slip coverings on all your pedals, including the accellerator.
Your friends are probably a bit confused about the details.
It is illegal to drive in any way which increases your chances of loss of control and accident.
Wearing Flip flops will almost always be interpreted by the police as contributing to loss of control if there is an accident.
2007-04-30 06:41:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
There's no offence of "driving in bare feet", but there IS an offence of not being in proper control. I'd suggest you're more likely to be in control in bare feet that in flip-flops - at least they can't slip off like your friend!
Same thing goes, as it happens, where you've got a leg in plaster. It's fine if it's your left leg and you're in an automatic but not in a manual.
2007-04-30 07:34:41 · answer #3 · answered by champer 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This was asked to the 'Legal Beagle' on Jimmy Young some years ago, and the answer was an emphatic 'no, it is not illegal to drive in bare feet'. I would say that practically flip flops are about the worst thing to wear, illegal or not.
2007-05-01 05:49:25 · answer #4 · answered by Ray P 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Its not illegal (ive never heard of anyone being fined for wearing flip flops at the wheel have u? hehe). You can wear whatever you like on your feet as long as its confortable and you know they arnt going to slip off. It is recommended to wear trainers or thin soled shoes though.
2007-04-30 06:35:05 · answer #5 · answered by nickic2k 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, Urban Legend. No where is it illegal per se to drive bare foot, but if you are involved in an accident and not wearing proper shoes (or way too high of heels for the ladies) it will be listed as a cause of the accident. Illegal, no. Probably not a good idea, yes.
2007-04-30 06:34:26 · answer #6 · answered by oklatom 7 · 9⤊ 0⤋
It is illegal not have proper control of your car. If you have control whatever you are wearing that is fine. I was once driving a van on a road that had lot of small hills and dips. I was at the top of a hill and in the dip was a girl driving a mini. From my position I could see she was quite naked. Maybe that should be illegal as I nearly lost control of my vehicle
2007-04-30 06:45:03 · answer #7 · answered by Maid Angela 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So long as you have proper control of the vehicle, you can drive in winnie the pooh slippers for all the police care.
The clutch and brake pedals take a bit of force to push down, so it's not suggested, but there's nothing illegal about it.
2007-04-30 07:33:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
i hope bare feet is not illegal. i had flip flops on one day, and almost made a major accident when my show got stuck on the carpet... then another day, i was driving in pointy nosed, high heeled boots. now you know the nose of pointy shoes are empty, so u think u putting your foot down, when u actually arent actually touching much... almost another accident. hence the reason i drive with no shoes on. actually to drive with shoes on, makes me feel uncomfortable.
2007-04-30 07:15:34 · answer #9 · answered by aisha l 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't think its illegal so long as you have proper control of your vehicle, I have drive barefoot a lot.
what you ahve to make sure is that you can hit the break as hard in barefeet as you can in shoes so that it doesn't affect yoru stopping distance in an emergency. thats what the police would check in a accident.
2007-04-30 22:03:49 · answer #10 · answered by Barefoot_Ben 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋