Drivers are being warned as wearing skirts, sunglasses, flip flops and heels behind the wheel could leave them with hefty fines of up to £5,000.
Motoring experts have warned that the clothing items are among seven in total that have been identified as common clothes or accessories many of us wear while driving that could actually cause us to break the law or get points on our licence and a beefy fine.
As reported by Yorkshire Live, according to Rule 97 of the Highway Code, ‘the clothing and footwear you choose to wear whilst you are driving must not prevent you from using the controls in the correct manner.’
READ MORE: Police crackdown on speeding on busy Nottinghamshire roads
Car and vehicle financing company CarMoney has identified seven common items of clothing most of us have worn while driving that could be restricting.
Drivers have been warned that not wearing sunglasses while behind the wheel could land you with a huge fine. Summer has officially arrived with most of the country enjoying bright sunshine and high temperatures.
Andrew Jervis from ClickMechanic said: "Many of us will welcome a few days of sun, but it could spell disaster for unprepared motorists. We all have a responsibility to drive with care and attention, and we need to be on alert for anything that can affect our ability to do that.
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"Sun glare is often tricky to drive with as it can affect how we perceive the road conditions, while an unexpected short burst of light from behind a cloud can really harm our ability to see. It can be worse when the roads are wet after a rainy spell, with sunlight reflecting off puddles and into our eyes.
"It’s important to be on guard for the adverse effects of sun glare while driving, whether this is through wearing sunglasses, removing any shiny objects from the dashboard or lowering the sun visors.”
A Long Skirt or Dress
Maxi dresses and skirts are all the fashion, but when it comes to wearing this type of clothing while driving you could be faced with a fine and even penalty points on your license. The material could get caught underneath the pedals or restrict your use of them, which is obviously far from ideal.
Very Baggy Jeans
For the same reason as above, if your jeans are too baggy they are likely to be unfit for driving in, meaning you could be penalised. It’s been thirty-one years since Madness released their smash hit, so baggy trousers might just be past their prime.
Flip Flops
Thousands of motorists get behind the wheel every year in their flip flops and sliders when the sun hits, but just how safe are they? Shoes with a thin sole, with less than 10mm in thickness, are classed as unsafe to drive in. Just remember, flip flops are for the beach, not the driver's seat.
High Heels
Your footwear should not limit your ankle movement. Alastair Grier, Managing Director of CarMoney says “If you are planning on driving somewhere where the dress code is smart, we recommend you take a change of sensible shoes for the car ride”. According to the RAC , 40% of women have admitted to driving in high heels. Although they may look classy, high heels are simply not practical for the pedals.
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Slippers
If your slippers are open-backed, they are highly likely to be unsafe to drive in due to your feet likely to slip out when using the pedals. Alastair continued “If your shoes do not provide enough grip to stop your foot from slipping off the pedals then they are classed as unsafe.” Wearing slippers outside of the house is highly questionable anyway, so it’s best to keep them there.
Chunky Boots
Although at first glance they would seem fine, any chunky boot fans or construction workers with thick-soled boots should reconsider driving in them.
“Footwear when driving should be narrow enough that it cannot accidentally touch two pedals at once,” said Alastair.
Sunglasses
Depending on the glass in your sunglasses, they could actually be too dark to drive in safely, according to the AA. Your peripheral vision can also be affected by wearing sunglasses when driving due to the frames blocking your vision. Sun visors were invented for the very purpose of allowing you to see the road clearly on a sunny day, so it’s best to use them when needed.
Alastair Grier, Managing Director of CarMoney says “The price of your car insurance is also going to increase dramatically if you are involved in a car accident, and you were behind the wheel in inappropriate clothing that forced you to drive carelessly.”
