Do you change your shoes for driving?

[MargeSimpson79]

Was just reading about how you could get fined for wearing flip flops or sandals when driving!
I live in flip flops over the the summer and I’ve got to admit it never really occurred to me that I shouldn’t be driving in them….
Do people have shoes that they change in to for driving? Or do lots of you also just drive in flip flops?

I drive barefoot in summer. Having grown up in the middle east no one changes their shoes to drive in summer!

I thought that was an urban legend?

I drive in whatever shoes I'm wearing, never change them.

Please don’t drive in flip flops or open toed sandals. I know someone who had a very serious crash and nearly died because of this. Their foot got caught under the brake pedal and they weren’t quick enough to stop in an accident. Because of this I always wear sensible shoes to drive in and change when I get to where I’m going. It’s just not worth the risk.

If I’m wearing shoes that aren’t well attached to my feet (like flip flops), I just take them off and drive barefoot. I can stamp down hard on the brake pedal without a shoe on.

I do remember only wearing one pair of trainers when I was learning to drive. It was too hard to feel the bite point etc in any other shoes. But obviously that’s no longer an issue.

The reason you can get fined for driving in flip-flops/sandals is because they can slip off your feet and get stuck under the pedals, causing an accident.

If I'm wearing sandals and need to drive, I kick them off and drive barefoot instead.

I used to have "driving shoes" with a heel in my early days of driving because of tight calves and a tightly angled driving position. In the first year or so that eased off.

I only wear shoes that are secure on my feet anyway. I can't wear slip-ons, I can't move in them. I live in trainers, birkenstocks, boots or low heels with straps. These are all fine for driving.
My feet are small enough that my feet don't get caught on the pedals in heavier boots.

I wouldn't dream of driving in flip flops, but tbh I think they're a danger in whatever context they're worn and avoid them.

When I wore really beautiful shoes for work, I kept trainers in the car to drive in because driving ruins the heels.

I didn't think you're allowed to drive barefoot either?

It's a myth. A social media myth. Wear what you want.

I once wore sandals and got my foot caught above and the sandal under the pedal. Was coming up to a roundabout and honestly thought I would crash. Since then I've always changed into shoes.

www.dvla-contact-number.co.uk/is-it-illegal-to-drive-in-flip-flops/

It falls under the banner of not in proper control. No myth.

It's not a myth as such.

Driving in flip flops isn't technically illegal, but the highway code says you need to wear suitable footwear for driving. If you get in an accident and the police believe it's because your shoes stopped you from stopping the car properly, it can come under dangerous driving, or driving without due care and attention.

It’s not illegal to drive in flip flops but if you have an accident because it fell off/ your foot slipped then you would be charged.

And I never drive barefoot or let my DC be barefoot in the car. What if there was an accident? Sensible footwear they can walk over broken glass in and run in. But I admit that might be me overthinking!

I believe there have been cases where people were prosecuted for not wearing appropriate clothing to be in control of the vehicle and insurance refusing to cover.

That’s not an official dvla website

I live in sandals too, but always change into lace-up flats if I'm driving anywhere - the thought of my sandal getting caught under a pedal makes me cringe!

Does it matter? The website quotes the Highway Code.

Rule 97 of the Highway Code states that the footwear and clothing that you choose to wear whilst driving must not prevent you from using the controls in the correct manner.

It can be dangerous. I have actually got a flip flop stuck under a pedal briefly before now, so never drive in them anymore.

I just take them off if I'm driving.

I have driving shoes for the summer. I never drive in flipflops or sandals. It is illegal where I am from (not the UK) and I am constantly horrified to see it par for course in the UK. I keep driving shoes in the boot.

I keep an old pair of pull on trainers behind the driver's seat for when my footwear is unsuitable for driving.

I drive in sandals but they are sensible, secure ones.
I would never dream of driving in flipflops.

Yep, reliable ugly driving pumps.

I only change if I’m wearing wellies for a dog walk.

I only change out of wellies. I would never drive in flip-flops though.

Puzzled as to how being in an accident is worse if you have bare feet? I mean, you also have a bare face, bare hands and so on