L’estate is now in the most advanced stage and days of stifling heat make life difficult, especially for those who are behind the wheel. During this season, it is normal put aside the closed shoes in favor of lighter and cooler footwear, especially on vacation. If you prefer Hawaiian slippers or even clogs at the beach and have ever wondered if the law allows you to drive barefoot or in flip-flops, this article is just what you need.
What the Highway Code says
The Highway Code does not explicitly prohibit it, this means that no one can detect a violation in case of driving barefoot or in slippers, the same goes for women’s shoes with heels; in short, the CdS does not provide a clear distinction and you can press the pedals in any way. However, there is a but: every driver is required to adopt a behavior that allows him to be “able to perform all the necessary maneuvers in conditions of safety, especially the timely stopping of the vehicle”.
Art. 141: iThe driver must always maintain control of his vehicle and be able to carry out all necessary manoeuvres in safety, in particular the timely stopping of the vehicle within the limits of his field of vision and in the face of any foreseeable obstacle.
While the Highway Code is not explicit on this matter, in the event of an accident you could receive a recovery from your insurancewhich could detect the impossibility of carrying out certain maneuvers.
The risks of driving in slippers
The main risk is that the slipper or clog can get stuck under one of the pedals of the car, compromising its proper functioning. The same goes for those who wear Birkenstocks or Crocs. Especially on long and winding pathssuch as urban or hilly ones, there are numerous dangers to consider. In conclusion, the advice always remains the same: before taking unnecessary risks which could have expensive consequences, it is best to wear a comfortable footwear for the summer, as slip ons or espadrilles, while driving.
Source: www.tomshw.it
