Brits warned of £5,000 fine for making footwear mistake while driving
The RAC has warned that footwear can be a driving hazard over summer. The penalties can be as costly as they are severe so UK motorists must take care on the warning
Over the last weeks of summer, motorists are being warned about getting behind the wheel whilst barefoot, in flip-flops, or wearing sandals. Whilst it might not be against the law in every instance, failing to wear suitable footwear whilst driving breaches Rule 97 of the Highway Code.
This could result in being deemed as driving without due care and attention. The penalties can be as costly as they are severe. To help motorists, the RAC has put together a list of footwear to steer clear of when behind the wheel.
This list encompasses sandals, flip-flops and driving barefoot. Bulky hiking boots and towering stiletto heels are also deemed dangerous. It comes after UK drivers were warned over 'avoiding' a road instead of having to follow a new rule.
Rule 97 of the Highway Code declares that you must wear footwear and clothing that won't stop you from using your vehicle's controls correctly. This means that if you're caught up in a crash and officers spot that you're sporting flip-flops or have no shoes on whatsoever, you could be hit with "driving without due care and attention", reports Chronicle Live.
This charge brings a £100 immediate fine and three points on your licence. Should it reach court, the penalties could soar dramatically to £5,000 and lead to nine penalty points. You might also be slapped with a total driving ban.
Selim Cavanagh, from insurance firm Ingenie, explained: "[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 states: "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."
However, it clarifies that "you can get behind the wheel of a vehicle barefoot or while wearing flip-flops, provided you are able to operate the controls safely. If you do so with wet feet, for example, you might be putting yourself, your passengers, and other road users at risk by not being able to drive the car safely.
"This is illegal. And while it's not illegal to drive without shoes on, that doesn't mean it's right."
The Driving Standards Agency, which oversees UK driving tests, warns: "suitable shoes are particularly important behind the wheel. We would not recommend driving barefoot because you don't have the same braking force with bare feet as you do with shoes on." The RAC has issued guidelines on the appropriate footwear to wear whilst driving.
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