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?

If they have a back strap, I'll drive in them. If not, I take them off and drive barefoot.

I never used to although have been out in my birkenstock style sandals a few times. I do agree with you and often would rather just drive in bare feet.
One of my neighbours regularly drives in stilettos, I am pretty impressed as I can't imagine the foot angle being safe or comfy 😂 unless of course she takes them off in the car too!

Edited to add, same with Doc Marten shoes, sandals and boots.. Soles are too thick so off them come!

I can drive in crocs, but I drive automatic so not clutch control needed. I don't need the back straps on. I wouldn't try even automatic in flip flops.

If you must wear flip flops when driving just don’t do it with anyone else in the car

You should never drive in flip flops they are not suitable

No.

A few years ago I had a horrible experience when the front of my Birkenstocks , the ones with a strap over the front only , got stuck under the pedal and the fact that my foot came out made it impossible to sort … can’t really describe it.

But now I only drive in footwear properly attached to my foot.

Or near anyone else on the road or pavement

Occasionally on short distances but I drive an electric vehicle which I feel is safer.

however I would never in a million years wear flip flops on an escalator

I drive in trainers and change into flipflops.

I was in a car park doing 2mph and a car surprised me by just coming out in front of me and my TEVA sandal caught on the break and so I couldn't stop my car in that moment. The other driver was oblivious and there was no collision but it was a scary moment. It made me think about footwear. I have some sliders that are quite nice to wear but if I wear them, I usually drive in a pair of loafers.

I can only drive in flip flops as I can't wear any other type of footwear unless it's my slip on slippers but they are too loose to drive in.

I wear flip flops all summer and it wouldn’t occur to me not to drive in them. They’re pretty solid ones though, not the loose, foam type.

Your feet don’t need support, they’re perfectly designed tools for walking (although I agree they should be in something with a back strap so your toes aren’t working to keep them on).

For mainland Europe, France, Spain and Portugal, the Traffic Police will happily ticket you for bare feet or flip-flops. They’re not interested in discussing it either.

I don’t know about other countries.

I always wear Birkenstocks and take one off when driving (automatic car!) I made sure to tuck it under my seat so it can’t get in the way. A friend once had a horrible motorway accident that he was lucky to survive when his flip top got stuck under the pedals. He’d ‘always‘ driven in flip flops. Never ever ever do it.

I used to on our older smaller car, but our current car has slightly higher pedals and it's much harder to keep them on.

I don't think it's a great idea though, and in an emergency it could go badly wrong. Same with bare feet.

I have a pair of shoes I keep in the car for summer driving.

From Google: 'Under Rule 97 of the UK Highway Code, your footwear must not prevent you from operating the vehicle's controls safely.If you wear unsuitable footwear (like flip-flops or high heels) and it restricts your ability to brake quickly or switch pedals, you could be charged with careless or dangerous driving. This can lead to a fine of up to £5000 and penalty points on your licence.'

no, I never did anyway but a man near us killed his two daughters due to his flip flops getting stuck under a pedal, horrendous

You might want to give them another go, they have maybe changed, they certainly protect your feet from dog poo.

Nope, I only ever wear trainers to drive in. I change my shoes specifically to drive. When I first started driving, I remember my mum telling me about her friend who tragically lost her life in a car crash in the 70s, after her platform heel got stuck under the break pedal. It scared me so much that I have never driven in anything other than completely flat trainers.

Absolutely not. As a chiropodist they are useful only when walking to the pool and back from the pool to prevent verrucae.

When I was learning to drive, I remember my instructor telling me that you must never drive in flip flops as they can get stuck and trap pedals and nor should you drive barefoot.

I will confess, I have driven barefoot when I've been moving the car on our street but always wear flat shoes (usually ballet pumps) to drive.

That's your opinion. Others would disagree.

I've had a pedal get stuck in a sandal that had a clear gap under the foot sole. So now I always drive in full shoes.

no, but then I wouldn't go out wearing flipflops either! They're very much a pottering around the resort on holiday or garden in the summer footwear, I can't walk any distance in them.