driving in flip-flops ?

MrsE_2

cat_j wrote: »

Hi, I've caught my flip flop on the pedal before - I never wear them now. I like driving barefoot - thought it was illegal but apparently this is just a myth?

I can't drive barefoot. You know if your shoes are killing you because you have walked all around Bluewater twice.........I still have to wear them.

LandyAndy

MrsE wrote: »

I can't drive barefoot. You know if your shoes are killing you because you have walked all around Bluewater twice.........I still have to wear them.

Neither can I. It just feels wrong.:D

rev_henry

I found driving in sandals quite strange when I first tried a few weeks ago with the weather. I then discovered driving barefoot. Also a bit strange to get used to; I have to push the clutch seemingly further as I'm used to trainers with thick soles, but apparently driving barefoot helps with hypermiling as you can fine tune the accelerator, which I can understand.

Strider590

The Spanish Police take a different approach to us, they're much more pro-active... They don't just sit at the side of the road with a camera, they actively stop motorists who's driving leaves anything to be desired.
It's my understanding that they get a certain bonus pay for every little "crime" they deal with, hence they're very much "on the ball".

anewman

I definitely remember reading somewhere it's perfectly legal to drive barefoot in the UK, and the key thing is that you should be in control of your vehicle. If wearing flip flops presents a risk then it is ideal to wear something more suitable

flutterbyuk25

10JH wrote: »

I take them off and drive bare foot. Surely there isn't any problem in driving with no shoes on!

I have no idea on UK law but I know it's illegal to drive barefoot in New Zealand!

x

babyshoes

I actually asked a cop about this the other day - he said there is no law in the UK about wearing flip flops specifically, but ideally you should wear shoes or trainers for best control of your car. I now keep a pair of old shoes in the car for days when I am wearing flip flops.

Gloomendoom

From safermotoring.co.uk

A 2005 survey conducted by Norwich Union Motor Insurance in the UK found that flip-flops are the most dangerous item of driving footwear. Of the 1000 motorists questioned, three-quarters said that they found it challenging to drive in flip-flops, yet a quarter admitted to regularly driving in them.

One does wonder where they did the survey if a quarter of those surveyed regularly drive in flipflops!

gabyjane

I wear flip flops a lot of the time..all the time in the summer and to work even in the winter at times so find them easy to drive in. Didn't know it was a law..not sure how they could bring this into force tbh?!

ginnersinner

There is no law specifically prohibiting driving in flip-flops, just as there is no law against driving while eating an apple or doing your make-up. It's all covered by the construction and use regulation number 104 of 1986 relating to driving whilst not in a position to have proper control of the vehicle. It's worded deliberately loosely to basically cover anything which the driver does which means that they are, or more importantly MAY be, not in control of the car.