With temperatures soaring across the United Kingdom, drivers are being warned not to take to their cars barefoot, in flip flops or sandals.
While not illegal in all cases, failing to have the correct footwear on when you drive breaches rule 97 of the Highway Code, and could see you dubbed as driving without due care and attention.
To help Britons out, the RAC has compiled a list of what footwear you should avoid using when operating your vehicle, with sandals, flip flops and bare feet making the list.
Read more: Wales becomes first UK nation to impose 20mph residential speed limit
Also deemed unlikely to be safe are clunky walking boots and high heeled stilettos.
Rule 97 of the Highway Code states that you must sport footwear and clothing which isn't likely to prevent you using the controls of your vehicle in the correct manner. This means if you're unfortunately in an accident and the police see you wearing flipflops or no footwear at all, you'll be liable for a 'driving without due care and attention' charge - which carries a £100 on-the-spot fine and three points on your licence.
If it escalates to court, both could rise substantially to a fine of £5,000 and nine penalty points. You could also face a full-scale driving ban.
Selim Cavanagh, from insurance firm ingenie, said: “[Flip flops] slip off, slide under the pedals, get caught between your feet and the pedals and if your feet are wet, they’ll affect your ability to brake if you need to. Driving in flip flops can create a dangerous driving environment, and put you, your passengers, and other road users at risk."
According to the RAC : "While light, flimsy and impractical footwear can be dangerous, so can sturdy, robust shoes, such as walking or snow boots. It's important to have a good base and grip to apply pressure to the pedals, but you need a certain degree of finesse to manipulate the controls. If not, you could strike the brake and accelerator together, producing a heart-in-mouth incident."
The RAC produced guidelines on what footwear to drive in.
Your shoes should:
• Have a sole no thicker than 10mm
• The sole should not be too thin or soft
• Provide enough grip to stop your foot slipping off the pedals
• Not be too heavy
• Not limit ankle movement
• Be narrow enough to avoid accidentally depressing two pedals at once
Read next:
