My mum has always told me it is but I'd like to know for sure!
2007-06-12 00:36:31 · 26 answers · asked by betha 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
While I don't have links to proof from every country as I do from the US states ( http://tafkac.org/legal/driving.barefoot/driving_barefoot.html ), I doubt it would be illegal in the UK. Unfortunately it is a common myth that driving barefoot is illegal and/or unsafe. For those who believe it's unsafe, please see the links in the source from the Michigan PD & an Australian newspaper; even if you are in some other location the information stated there may help prove/convince others that it's not unsafe or at the very least safer than many types of footwear (flips, slippers, chunky boots) regularly worn by many, many folks without question.
2007-06-13 00:24:21 · answer #1 · answered by Sheriam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not illegal
You could buy your mum a copy of the highway code which states: "You should ensure that clothing and footware do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner". A lack of footware does not prevent the correct use of controls, whereas particularly high-heeled shoes might.
However, I would recommend that you at least have a pair of shoes in the back of your car when driving. The reason being that if you are involved in a traffic accident there may well be a lot of broken glass about, so a pair of shoes would really come in handy!
2007-06-12 01:00:41 · answer #2 · answered by Gareth B 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm from the UK and have driven hundreds of miles barefoot.
A couple of weeks ago I refuelled my car barefoot and there was a police car behind me. The officer followed me into the shop to get a drink and 'chatted' on the way and in the queue. It was obvious that I had bare feet as I was wearing shorts and the subject wasn't even mentioned.
I assume that if it was illegal he would have said something !
2007-06-13 06:33:59 · answer #3 · answered by barefooter73 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
. Oy, bromigo!!! Even the fact that you're asking the question means that you should act on that instinct: go to the test barefoot. Don't even bring a pair of street shoes or runners/// let 'em know that YOU'RE in charge, that The Gubbamint isn't the boss of you! And should the drone-clerk give you any crap, inform him/her/LGBT that you ARE being practical: and at the same time, you can establish yourself as a real "swordsman" by saying that in a truly "practical" sense, having to abandon a lady's boudoir because her spouse has unexpectedly returned early, you have often left your shoes behind, lucky enough to just have been able to grab your pants and escape with your life, to live to do it again... and soon!!! Sic 'em, brochacho. Cheers! .
2016-05-18 00:26:43 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No its not ,I drive bare footed and even passed my test bare footed with the knowledge of the examiner. Ihave never wore a pair of shoes driving in all the years Ive been driving, the only advice I would give anyone is make sure the feet are clear of all small stones etc. due to braking.
2007-06-12 00:44:33 · answer #5 · answered by mamgu....... 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No it isn't. If, f'rinstance, tramping on the brake hurt your foot & made you instinctively release the brake, thereby causing an accident, you might be charged with not being in proper control, but that's a very long shot. Actually it's much safer that driving in flop-flops or high heels, and they ain't illegal.
2007-06-12 01:25:52 · answer #6 · answered by champer 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so.
I have driven i bare feet and in socks, but i usually do it abroad where the different sensation on my feet me and i have to think about my use of the controls. This i believe prevents me from lapsing into UK driving style and keeps me on the correct side of the road etc.
Sounds silly but it works.
It also works for driving an automatic, when you are used to manual.
2007-06-12 01:30:52 · answer #7 · answered by Vulture38 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The question is can you control the car properly.
There was a case a few years ago when the magistrate decided, No and fined the lady concerned. Personally i think you need a firm base under your foot because it is easy to slip of the pedals and even get your toe caught. between them.
2007-06-12 04:47:42 · answer #8 · answered by Scouse 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There's no set legislation which says that you can't drive barefoot.
There is however legislation that you could fall foul of if your driving is affected by the fact that you are barefoot, i.e not in proper control of a motor vehicle and driving without due care and attention.
The best advice I could give is to drive in shoes.
2007-06-12 04:23:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Depends on the circumstances. It's illegal to drive without due care & attention, so if you are in an accident and you are discovered to be unshod, the prosecuting authorities are perfectly entitled to decide that you were not driving with due care and attention.
2007-06-12 00:50:40 · answer #10 · answered by bill c 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋