Do you drive in flip flops?

[Incandescentangel]

I was people watching in a coffee shop yesterday, and noticed how many people were wearing flip flops. I started wondering how many of them had driven there wearing flip flops. I have always considered it a bit dangerous so I change into a pair of shoes for driving. Am I being sensible, or am I just being ridiculous?

the police can arrest you for careless driving if you’ve had an accident wearing flip flops because The Highway Code states you should drive wearing footwear that must not prevent you from using the controls correctly

I drive in flip flops, probably shouldn't but I forget sometimes as I live in them over summer.

I once drove in wellies (as a stupid teen) and the top got lodged under the seat and I couldn't move my foot. Scared the hell out of me and I only wear sturdy shoes or trainers now, nothing loose.

It’s not illegal in Australia - they have similar rules to us - so you have to be in control of the car and if your footwear (or lack of) causes an accident then you can be prosecuted, but driving barefoot isn’t something you can get in trouble for in and of itself.

No I take them off and drive barefoot. Probably not allowed and if I was doing a long / motorway journey I’d put some trainers on but for short journeys, no.

I wear them all summer but take them off to drive and just drive with no shoes only takes a second to slip them back on

Absolutely no way would I drive in flip flops. I wear flat sandals that are secured around my ankles though.

I keep a pair of cheap flats in my car and almost always change into them for driving. I live in flip flops in the summer and chunky boots in the winter and I don't like driving in either of them

I do but I tend to wear chunkier ones like fit flops or Skechers go walk. I wouldn’t drive in the very thin soled ones.

It is illegal in Spain to drive in flip flops according to my lawyer friend who has a house there.

I used to drive in Birkenstocks but I was wearing a pair of flimsy sandals (with heel strap) when the front got caught on the pedal and scared the bejesus out of me so it's full shoes or trainers only now.

I was told a story of someone who was in a minor collision that was not their direct fault whilst wearing flip flops, ending up with points/fines/astronomical insurance…. I would always wear trainers or pumps when driving.

I got them stuck under pedals once so don’t anymore. But I do drive in Arizona Birkenstocks as they are sturdy. But I’d be more likely to change into proper sandals for a long drive.

No because I don't want to end up in an accident and get prosecuted for careless driving because my footwear slipped and got caught under the pedals.

Thank you!

Legality aside, I'd find it seriously uncomfortable driving barefoot. I wouldn't be able to press the pedals hard enough because of discomfort.

No. I always wear proper shoes to drive.

It definitely feels off you’re not used to it - I did it the first time as my shoes were so sweaty my feet were slipping and it felt too unsafe. Now it just feels normal though still I prefer to have shoes on.

I remember when I was a fairly new driver, about 21 and my mum telling me not to drive in flip flops but I did anyway and at one point the accelerator pedal got stuck between my flip flop and foot and i couldn’t get my foot on the break! It was all fine but could have caused a collision so I have never driven in unsuitable shoes again. Even if I want to wear heels I will take flat shoes for driving.

Yes all
summer.

Never. But then I woukd never wear flip flops anywhere other than on a beach, or by a hotel pool - they are not proper footwear. Barefoot driving also sounds pretty dangerous too. How hard is it just to keep a pair of slip on shoes in the car?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

I cycle in flip flops