Proper footwear and driving

Wearing proper footwear when driving

While neither state or federal laws specifically prohibit driving a car barefoot, there is a concern about how safely a driver can operate a vehicle without shoes or with the wrong shoes. Ultimately, good driving is about control, and certain types of shoes can inhibit the connection to the pedals. With that in mind, here are some things to remember when driving.

• Heels: High heels often force your foot into an uncomfortable position that prevents you from planting your foot flat on the floor. This is important because when your foot is flat, you can easily move it between the gas and brake.

• Sandals: Sandals can pose a danger to the safe operation of your vehicle. Sandals can slip, become snagged under the pedal, cause unexpected swerves and restrict your overall control.

• Flip flops: There are hidden dangers when driving in flip flops. Flip flops are responsible for or contribute to thousands of accidents each year. Flip flops are most unsuitable shoes for driving as they can easily interfere with the correct application of the brake and gas pedals.

If you wear any of these shoes that pose a risk to driving, a simple solution may be to keep a suitable pair of shoes, like sneakers, in your vehicle to switch into while driving.