With temperatures hitting highs of above 20C across the UK this weekend, many people will be ditching socks and trainers in favour of flip flops and sandals. But drivers are being warned that getting in their cars in their summer footwear, or even bare foot, could land them in trouble.
Failing to wear the right shoes for driving is not a crime itself - but it does breach Rule 97 of the Highway Code and could be classed as driving without due care and attention. The rule states you must have footwear and clothing which "does not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner".
If you're in an accident and the police see that you have flip flops on, or no shoes at all, you may be found to be "driving without due care and attention". This offence carries a £100 on-the-spot fine and three penalty points on your licence, and, if it goes to court, the maximum penalty could rise to as high as a £5,000 fine, nine penalty points and potentially a driving ban.
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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."
The RAC has compiled a list of what footwear you should and shouldn't use when driving - and sandals, flip flops and bare feet do not make the list. Also unlikely to be deemed safe are large walking boots and high heels, reports The Mirror.
The RAC says 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
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."
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