Is it Illegal to Drive Your Car Barefoot?

There was an ongoing debate about driving barefoot or while wearing heels and shoes. Many drivers assume that they prefer to drive barefoot because they can feel the pedals better. Is driving barefoot illegal in some countries and states? Let’s verify the question in today’s article: 

Is Driving Barefoot Illegal In Some Countries? 

This might sound like an easy question, but there’s some truth related to this situation. Is it against the law to drive barefoot? The truth is that there is no law on the books in Texas and all 50 states making it illegal to drive barefoot. However, If you are involved in a crash, it could be cited as a contributing factor. There are “NO” laws against driving without shoes in any US state, but how about other parts of the world, is it illegal?

According to the data, If you are living in the UK, Australia, or South Africa, you still drive barefoot without any restrictions on footwear for driving. Technically, it’s legal to drive without footwear in some countries, although this action tends to be frowned upon. However, to make sure that you don’t violate any law while driving, you need to check carefully the driving laws or individual state codes in case there are some exceptions. 

In some countries, law enforcement also dictates that it would be safer when driving barefoot than driving with certain types of footwear such as high heels, flip-flops, or shoes with long laces because they can easily get stuck under the gas pedal. Different surveys show that wearing inappropriate shoes can lead to worse consequences than going barefoot. NMRA, an insurance company in Australia, asked 1,000 drivers and said that 60% of them still wear flip-flops or high heels when driving. 38% admitted to having lost a shoe before the accident.

Driving barefoot is not prohibited but it doesn’t mean that it would be safe if you drive without suitable shoes. Many people think that driving barefoot is safer. This is completely wrong. Many experts point out that driving barefoot is as dangerous as wearing high heels. 

>> Read more: Driving Cultures in Japan vs the USA: The Differences

Common Risks People May Experience Driving Barefoot

Many drivers have the habit of driving barefoot, especially in the summer. Because they feel comfortable and not oppressed. Service or vehicle owners also said that wearing shoes or sandals all day would be inappropriate, causing discomfort and odor. However, driving barefoot can be dangerous for several reasons below: 

• The reason is that controlling the accelerator/brake pedal with bare feet can easily damage the skin of the feet, causing unnecessary scratches, and can especially cause dangerous leg cramps.
• In case your feet sweat, it will reduce friction, making it easier for your feet to slip off the accelerator/brake pedal. Besides, driving your car without footwear will require more force and effort than when wearing shoes. 
• Your foot usually has a larger area than the area of the pedal, so pressing the pedal with bare feet will feel uncomfortable.
• The habit of taking off your shoes and leaving them right next to the footrest can easily cause the shoes to get stuck in the accelerator pedal, causing dangerous situations.

Although driving barefoot feels more comfortable than wearing shoes all day, especially in hot summer weather, and can give you a good feeling of pressing the pedal, according to all recommendations for drivers, this action is considered dangerous and even has a fine. 

Best Shoes To Wear For Driving

A neat outfit will give the driver a safer driving position. At driving training centers, students are required to wear flat or sports shoes when giving practical lessons.

Flat shoes and sports shoes are the best choices for drivers when driving in traffic. These two types of shoes ensure factors such as being sturdy, not afraid of slipping, being flexible, and making the driver’s feet move easily. Besides, with thick, sturdy shoe soles, these two types of shoes also help the driver coordinate the foot force acting on the pedals in the best and most accurate way.

During test drive events of all auto manufacturers, all participating customers are required to wear shoes, absolutely not wearing sandals to ensure that no errors or mistakes occur during the driving process.

The type of shoes a driver wears can greatly affect driving. Flip-flops do not have support from the sole, are prone to slipping, and can get stuck under the pedals, distracting the driver from trying to put the sandals back on.

High heels cause the heel to be raised off the floor of the car, making it feel unrealistic, making it difficult to feel the brake and accelerator pedals and not being flexible in an emergency. Large-soled shoes also make it difficult for the driver to step on the accelerator or brake, and can even easily get stuck between the pedals.

Sheilas’ Wheels, a British insurance company, found that 80% of female drivers wear inappropriate footwear, such as flip-flops, high heels, and bare feet. 10% of survey respondents said they had been involved in a car accident or nearly had an accident due to the above cause.

But it’s not just women who wear inappropriate shoes and sandals when driving a car. Another survey by a British insurance company showed that 27% of male drivers also wore flip-flops, 22% were barefoot and 10% wore slippers. 

>> Related post: 6 Things You Didn’t Know could Go Wrong in a Fast Driving Car

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​Final Thoughts

So now you have your answer to the question. It’s legal for you to drive barefoot but it’s not recommended. Some argue that driving barefoot is the best way to go. Because it will help you achieve the best possible pedal pressure. However, on long trips when walking barefoot, you will sweat and may slip off the pedal, increasing the possibility of ankle or foot injury (not to mention loss of vehicle control). The best solution for better pedal control is classic sneakers with a maximum sole thickness not exceeding 10 mm or simple shoes. Choose the right shoes to keep you safe on every journey.