Warning for motorists on how your choice of footwear could cost you a £5,000 fine
DRIVERS have been warned that their choice of footwear could cost them a £5,000 fine if they aren’t careful while driving.
Many motorists in the UK opt to drive barefoot or in flip-flops when the temperatures soar, but this can result in a hefty fine.
Motoring experts from Quotezone.co.uk claim that there is a lot of debate and uncertainty around whether driving barefoot is illegal, but there is no law against it, nor is there for wearing flip-flops.
However, there is a catch.
If a driver’s choice of footwear, or lack thereof, results in erratic driving, they could be pulled over and charged for driving without due care and attention – facing a fine of up to £5,000 and up to 9 points on their licence.
Motorists must be able to operate the pedals safely, with rule 97 of the highway code stating drivers must have footwear which does not prevent them from correctly using controls.
Being able to use your brakes properly is essential when driving, and failure to do so could contribute towards causing a collision or possibly even a fatality.
The Driving Standards Agency has also stressed the importance of using sturdy footwear behind the wheel and avoiding driving barefoot at all costs.
They say: “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.”
Drivers should use shoes with a sole no thicker than 10mm and that can provide enough grip to stop their foot from slipping off the pedals.
They should not be too heavy, not limit ankle movement and be narrow enough to avoid accidentally depressing two pedals at one.
However, according to research by a price comparison website, 40% of women take to the roads in high heels, while 39% wear flip-flops and 24% go barefoot.
And over a quarter of male drivers (27%) admitted to driving in flip-flops, too, while 22% also choose to wear nothing on their feet.
Drivers have also been warned about a little-known driving rule that could cost them a £1,000 fine and a potential driving ban.
Plus, they have also been warned about an often forgotten rule that could land them a £2,000 fine – and a possible driving ban.