Do you drive in flip flops?

I drive in my fitflops, never had an issue. I find driving in heels more problematic, so usually wear flat then, if I can.
Passed my driving test 50 years ago in bare feet.

Except the difference is that the DVSA doesn't advise against ballet shoes for example. Or boots. Or creepers. Or brogues. And on and on and on.

They advise against barefoot as it presents a specific risk. If you get stuck in hot traffic and you start to sweat - having already admitted to sweaty feet - then you're putting yourself and others at risk.

I bloody love flip flops and I wear them a lot, including round the house as slippers, but I would never drive in them. Don't think it would be very safe.

My last 2 cars have been automatics so literally drive with one foot but if I’m wearing flip flops I do tend to slip it off and drive barefoot.

We’ve always spent most of our time walking on hard surfaces. The reason we need shoes now is because the surfaces are more dangerous (broken glass etc) and because growing up in shoes means we’re not used to walking barefoot anymore and find it odd and uncomfortable.

Barefoot shoes are a “thing” for good reason.

If you have normal feet. My millions of years of evolution has resulted in feet that need curved soles and two operations on my toes, so sod evolution.

I promise you they don’t. Hard surfaces don’t make us more unstable, so why would we need support? Think it through logically.

My DH works in car repairs and he had a customer who was wearing flip flops because she just had a pedicure. It got caught on the accelerator and she drove into the wall of the beauticians. The insurance company wouldn't pay out.

All the time - Im Australian, it's normal here.

I used to work in an insurance office and will always remember a claim form from quite a nasty crash, several vehicles involved, lots of damage.

For "Cause of accident" the driver had put "my footwear" - apparently the accelerator pedal had got caught between the man's foot and his flip flop and then the heel part had got caught on the floor so he couldn't free his foot easily or quickly enough to apply the brakes. Would have been pretty scary I think, to be that out of control.

Of course your feet need (and knees) need support now that humans spend most of their time walking on hard surfaces.

I wear flip flops literally all the time so yes I do. They’re always those sculpted fit flop style as I have MSK issues and putting on shoes can be the Bain of my life due to pain and stiffness, but I wouldn’t drive in bog standard ones as they’re too bendy )plus they’d hurt my feet and legs too much)

What’s appropriate will be different for everyone though as we all have different driving styles, foot shapes and ideas around what’s comfortable.

I prefer barefoot to ballet shoes as my feet sweat in the latter. I also regularly drive in walking boots due my job and don’t have an issue whereas DH hates it, though he regularly drives in safety boots.

It's not illegal, but if you have an accident are are found to have been wearing flip flops (or other slip on sandals) then it will be worse for you.

I believe in France it is illegal to drive in shoes that dont have backs.

I dont drive in flip flops, I recently got some birkenstocks "franca" and i like the straps tight over the toes. I have driven a short distance in them but am undecided tbh. I drive a manual which is even more relevant IMO

TBH I only really wear flip flops at home or on holiday so it's not been an issue. But no I wouldn't drive in them as it's widely accepted to be unsafe.

That’s the issue, they can bend and get stuck under the pedal.

I would have thought bare feet were better. Proper shoes even better!

Always wear a fully enclosed shoe for safety.
A visitor wearing flip flops drove into my neighbours house wall - with some force judging by the crack from foundation to roof level…

LOL. Feet don’t need support, they literally evolved for millions of years to support us perfectly. Barefoot is healthier for feet!

I cycle in flip flops

I live in flipflops from the minute it is warm enough to do so. Never once had a problem.

I worry about my winter footwear but never flipflops

Never. I like a firm, flat soled shoe when I’m driving so I have full control of the pedals. If I plan to wear flipflops, I’ll put them in the car and change footwear once I arrive wherever I’m driving to.

DD and I were talking about this only this week. I won't allow her to drive barefoot either as it's specifically warned against by the DVSA. It affects your braking power in an emergency brake and I've had a friend drive barefoot and she got warm and sweaty, her foot slipped and she lost control of her vehicle.

I'm quite alarmed by the number on here driving without appropriate footwear.

I do, and never had an issue but after reading this I don’t think I will anymore! I’ve never given footwear much consideration when I’m driving, but I can’t feel the pedals properly if I’m wearing doc sandals so will drive barefoot if I’m wearing them.

Same here, Birkenstocks are fine (in my opinion) as they don't move on my foot. Flip flops slip all over the place and bend so don't feel safe.