Drivers risk £100 fine or points on their licence for making these simple clothing mistakes
Drivers risk a £100 fine or driver’s license points for making these simple dress mistakes
- According to traffic regulations, footwear should not prevent you from using the controls
- Experts advise against different types of footwear while driving
With summer just around the corner, British motorists are being warned to think twice about their choice of footwear when behind the wheel.
While flip flops provide comfort and convenience, they are not considered a particularly good choice of footwear for drivers.
So much so that the highway code advises against wearing them while driving due to the risk of them slipping over the pedals or getting caught underneath.
And while wearing flip-flops isn’t illegal, the consequences of doing so could land you a hefty fine if they lead you to dangerous driving.
In hot weather wearing flip flops might be cooler than regular shoes, but wearing them while driving can get you a hefty fine (File image)
Rule 97 of the Highway Code states that the footwear and clothing you choose to wear should not prevent you from properly using the controls of the vehicle.
It specifically says, “Footwear will not prevent you from using the controls properly.”
The careless driving offense carries a £100 fine and three penalty points on your licence.
In a more serious case, or if challenged in court, the charge could carry a fine of up to £5,000, up to nine demerit points and even a court-ordered driving ban.
As with flip flops, driving barefoot is also not illegal, but again it is strongly discouraged by driving experts.
There are plenty of things to consider when getting behind the wheel, and the shoes you choose could be one of them (File image)
The Driving Standards Agency states that suitable shoes are vital when behind the wheel.
They do not recommend anyone to ride barefoot as they do not have the same braking power as compared to wearing shoes.
It’s also not illegal to drive in slippers, but again it could lead to criminal charges if you get into an accident and the police find you’re not wearing appropriate footwear.
That’s why it’s important to make sure you have full control of the pedals while riding – and that means choosing wisely when it comes to footwear.
And the RAC suggests that drivers do not wear shoes with soles more than 10 mm thick.
Drivers have also been advised not to wear footwear with a sole that is too soft or too thin, shoes that are too heavy should be avoided, as well as shoes that restrict movement of the ankle.
The experts also recommended that shoes have enough traction to ensure your feet don’t slide off the pedals, and that they are narrow enough that you don’t accidentally press two pedals at once.