Light clothing, sunglasses, and open-toed shoes. With the arrival of hot weather, our attire adapts, but can you drive in flip-flops? Is wearing sandals or clogs a good idea if we need to drive? And what are the risks?
The old Highway Code expressly prohibited driving with these types of footwear or barefoot, but since 1993, this rule no longer exists. Is it all left to our common sense? Not exactly. The problem of fines is overcome, but beware! Article 141 of the Code states that "The driver must always maintain control of their vehicle and be able to perform all necessary maneuvers safely to ensure timely braking of the vehicle." The State Police website also specifies that "the driver must exercise self-discipline in the choice of clothing and accessories in order to ensure effective driving action with their feet (acceleration, braking, clutch use)"
Therefore, it is theoretically possible that any poor control of the vehicle may be attributed (also) to the use of unsuitable footwear. In the event of an accident, the Police may indicate in the report that one of the drivers was driving in flip-flops, wooden clogs, or barefoot. During the claims settlement process, the insurance company could use this indication to argue for contributory negligence and consequently limit or reject the compensation claim.
To recap: the law does not prohibit it, the State Police advise against it, and insurance companies can take advantage of it. In any case, driving with unsuitable footwear is not safe! The foot can easily slip out of a strapless sandal, a flip-flop can get stuck under the pedal, and a wooden sole greatly reduces driving sensitivity. And let's also add high heels, which – also applies to winter shoes – make it difficult to rest the heel and limit the ability to press on the pedals.
In conclusion, it's better to keep a pair of closed shoes suitable for driving in the car. And once you reach your destination, let your style shine!
