Suns Out!!Think before you go for a spin in your Flip Flops ...it could cost you??

Mustbeananswer??

If you're in an accident and the police see that you have flip flops on, or no shoes at all, you may be found to be "driving without due care and attention". This offence carries a £100 on-the-spot fine and three penalty points on your licence, and, if it goes to court, the maximum penalty could rise to as high as a £5,000 fine, nine penalty points and potentially a driving ban.

Not sure what your insurance would say either .......

Brie

I've heard this before but I've yet to see anything in the highway code about it.  not sure how driving without shoes can be considered at all dangerous (uncomfortable yes).  And how are flip flops any different to a lot of sandals?  Frankly I would have thought that shoes with thick solid soles or very high heels would be much more dangerous.

elsien

Or as it’s not technically illegal and if the accident was not your fault then equally the police may take no further action. 

 It’s all a bit may, what and if. 

Alanp

There’s lots of these articles going around just lately, driving in flip flops, wellies, thanking other drivers with a hand wave thus taking your hand off the wheel, wearing sunglasses ect , basically it’s just about not doing anything that can impede your ability of being in control of your vehicle…

LightFlare

Alanp said:

There’s lots of these articles going around just lately, driving in flip flops, wellies, thanking other drivers with a hand wave thus taking your hand off the wheel, wearing sunglasses ect , basically it’s just about not doing anything that can impede your ability of being in control of your vehicle…

agree - a lot of these articles Ive noticed are put online by  the Birmingham Post

Mildly_Miffed

This kind of clickbait guff comes around so regularly that one of the factcheckers picked up on it last year.

https://fullfact.org/online/online-driving-in-flipflops-penalties/

BEBELUCA2017

No reported cases of any such prosecutions.  

badmemory

LightFlare said:

Alanp said:

There’s lots of these articles going around just lately, driving in flip flops, wellies, thanking other drivers with a hand wave thus taking your hand off the wheel, wearing sunglasses ect , basically it’s just about not doing anything that can impede your ability of being in control of your vehicle…

agree - a lot of these articles Ive noticed are put online by  the Birmingham Post

Anyone who has been lucky enough to miss these articles don't worry they will turn up in a different one next week & another one the week after.  They seem to be running out of tales to tell.

born_again

Brie said:

I've heard this before but I've yet to see anything in the highway code about it.  not sure how driving without shoes can be considered at all dangerous (uncomfortable yes).  And how are flip flops any different to a lot of sandals?  Frankly I would have thought that shoes with thick solid soles or very high heels would be much more dangerous.

Rule 97

Before setting off. You MUST ensure that

• you have a valid licence and insurance to drive the vehicle you intend to use (see Annex 3)
• your vehicle is legal and roadworthy (see Annexes 3 and 6 for important vehicle maintenance and safety checks).

You SHOULD ensure that

• you have planned your route and allowed sufficient time for breaks and possible delays
• you have sufficient fuel or charge for your journey, especially if it includes motorway driving
• you know where all the controls are and how to use them
• clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner
• your mirrors and seat are adjusted correctly to ensure comfort, full control and maximum vision
• head restraints are properly adjusted to reduce the risk of neck and spine injuries in the event of a collision.

It is recommended for emergency use that

• you have a mobile telephone containing emergency contacts (e.g. breakdown assistance)
• you have high-visibility clothing.

Not exactly clear on this is it....

Wonder if they have this issue in Australia, where they are called something else 🤣

WellKnownSid

born_again said:

Wonder if they have this issue in Australia, where they are called something else 🤣

https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/hacks/is-it-illegal-to-drive-in-thongs-flip-fops-67227

Brie

WellKnownSid said:

born_again said:

Wonder if they have this issue in Australia, where they are called something else 🤣

https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/hacks/is-it-illegal-to-drive-in-thongs-flip-fops-67227

Love it that the article refers to them as Tropical Safety Boots!!