Drivers could be fined a staggering £5,000 for wearing sunglasses, as well as certain types of footwear and even baggy jeans.
Motoring experts citing the Highway Code say you could find yourself with a £100 on-the-spot fine and three penalty points for careless driving if you wear inappropriate clothing that restricts you from manoeuvring correctly. If the incident were to go to court, the penalty could go up to a £5,000 fine, nine penalty points and even a driving ban.
Rule 97 of the code states "the clothing and footwear you choose to wear whilst you are driving must not prevent you from using the controls in the correct manner". Car and vehicle financing company CarMoney has now identified seven common items of clothing most of us have worn while driving that could be restricting.
READ MORE: Highway Code says you can only use a phone in the car for two things
They claim some of these clothes could put people at risk of breaking the law, adding points on licences or receiving a hefty fine. The rationale is that some of these clothing items can be a hindrance when driving, and avoiding them would ensure safety on the roads.
Here are seven items you may want to avoid wearing in the car, according to CarMoney.
Sunglasses that are too dark
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.
Long, flowing skirts
This type of clothing 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.
Flip flops or sliders
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.
High heels
Your footwear should not limit your ankle movement. 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.
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 Grier, managing director of CarMoney said: “If your shoes do not provide enough grip to stop your foot from slipping off the pedals then they are classed as unsafe.”
Chunky boots
Although at first glance they would seem fine, thick boots with chunky soles should not be worn for driving. Wide shoes may be able to accidentally touch more than one pedal at once.
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