To be worried about friend driving in flip flops?

[MargotLovedTom1]

Just that. Friend kindly offered to take my DC out for the afternoon with her DC. I just noticed last minute that she's wearing beach flip flops to drive in. They've gone off and I was left thinking I should've said something, because as far as I'm concerned flip flops are dangerous for driving in and she's got my kid in the car. They're not just popping round the corner either. But wtf could I have said without sounding like a nob?!

I no longer drive in flip flops since getting one wedged between the pedals, fortunately I was going very slowly as almost home, but it made me realise how dangerous it could be if it happened at speed.

Best not to risk it, especially after reading Clarabel's story. It's sensible to drive in proper shoes without bendy soles that can get stuck, and to be able to do an emergency stop safely.

Even the R.A.C take a very dim view on flip flop clad drivers

I wouldn't usually drive in flipflops or high heels, for comfort, safety and possible damage to heels. Having said that, I have driven in flipflops and also bare feet a few times on beach holidays and it's been absolutely fine. I had precious cargo in my car too OP, in the shape of my own DCs, and have a 100% safe driving record over too many years to mention.

A little girl died or horrific injuries in a crash caused by her father driving in flip flops near where I live and it is illegal in several European countries including France and Spain as it is a known issue. Not worth the risk in my opinion.

I was having a google and there's a weirdly large amount of videos of peoples feet driving in flip flops. Bleurgh. I wonder if it's a fetish?

I wouldn't drive in flip flops either....

Same pressure as what? My shoes and boots I wear to drive have a minimalist ~5mm flexible sole. The only ones that don't are my hiking boots and flip flops which I don't drive in.

This from the RAC...

There are some basic guidelines you should follow when selecting footwear to drive in. Your shoe should:

Have a sole no thicker than 10mm…
… but the sole should not be too thin or soft.
Provide enough grip to stop your foot slipping off the pedals.
Not be too heavy.
Not limit ankle movement.
Be narrow enough to avoid accidentally depressing two pedals at once.
This does technically categorise some types of footwear – such as high-heels and flip-flops – unsuitable for piloting a car.

www.raccars.co.uk/news/avoid-flip-flops-behind-the-wheel

Didn't realise until I read this link that wearing flip flops for driving is actually illegal in some European countries.

She definitely drove off in them IceWeasel.
It's scary Clarabel. I used to drive in them but I also had an an incident where the sole got stuck so wouldn't now. Fortunately like Pixel I wasn't in any danger.

Used to drive like this but not anymore - can and so get stuck and it's dangerous

I drive in my flip flops but they are Birkenstock style ones and I have never had an issue. I wouldn’t drive in the more flimsy poolside type.

I also won’t drive in stilettos or wedges as I know for me they do impact too much to be safe

Apparently it's illegal to drive in flipflops in some parts of Europe.

Just googled and apparently it can invalidate insurance. I am a comfy stable shoe type. Then I cannot wear flip flops as I hate the feeling of something between your toes.

I drive in flip flops and have never had a issue.

There is a inherent risk in everything

That has happened to me, OP. My flip flop bent under the pedal and I couldn't brake.

As Acejan said it’s illegal in certain European countries. And for good reason. I used to live in France and dh is French. Shoes for driving need to be sturdy and to be firmly attached to the foot so nothing without a a piece of leather or fabric to hold it around the heel, ergo strap or full heel. I know you’ll sound anal. Personally where my your child is concerned, you really shouldn’t care.

I think it's the sort of thing you could do then have an issue to make you realise it's probably not wise.

You could go out every day with no seat belt on/speed everywhere and be fine, until the one day you aren't.

I also find wellies to be fine, but as a PP says definitely not hiking boots.

I often get in the car in flipflops, then slip them off and drive in bare feet. I've done it for decades.

I keep a pair of sensible shoes in the car so I can quickly change them in the driver’s seat. I can’t drive in Docs or Birkenstocks, which are my main choice of footwear so I always need to switch!

A friend of mine had a serious accident when their flipflop got caught under the accelerator pedal. Wear proper shoes!

I was told by someone once that you ideally need leather shoes which enclose your whole foot whilst driving to protect your feet in an accident. Worst case scenario is the engine gets smashed back into the cabin resulting in dreadful leg/foot injuries. Proper shoes obviously offer some barrier.

This is not an inherent risk though Kursk. You can choose to wear safer shoes. And as SparklingBrook said, it's only fine until the day it's not fine - when it could then be the worst scenario imaginable.

The DVSA does not recommend driving in bare feet, since you don’t have the same braking force as yo7 would with shoes on.