Driving barefoot legal?

Author
Discussion

HTP99

22,642 posts

141 months

Sunday 25th August 2019
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DoubleD said:
I didnt realise that so many people drove barefoot. I dont know why, but it seems like an odd thing to do.
My mum learnt and took her test barefoot.

Watchman

6,391 posts

246 months

Sunday 25th August 2019
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Illegal to drive bare foot or in flip flops in Spain but no such legislation here.

djc206

12,419 posts

126 months

Sunday 25th August 2019
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Watchman said:
Illegal to drive bare foot or in flip flops in Spain but no such legislation here.
It’s not illegal in Spain.

Here’s a link to the Spanish department for transports Facebook page clarifying their law. Basically you must always be in command of the vehicle.

Jasandjules

70,009 posts

230 months

Sunday 25th August 2019
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
We don't have positive legislation we have negative. Therefore there is no law that says you "May" drive barefoot. But there is a law that says you must be in control of the vehicle and operate the controls properly. Oddly in some cars I've had the pedals are so tight that wearing shoes was more of an issue than not wearing shoes per se ( but for those cars I had "barefoot shoes")

Pothole

34,367 posts

283 months

Sunday 25th August 2019
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5Cylinder said:
Pothole said:
5Cylinder said:
How would you be able to press it with less force NOT wearing shoes as opposed to wearing shoes, surely it's all in the leg and feet muscles?
You might have snowflake feet and pull back if it gave you an ouchy feeling, because that would be more important than not dying!

OP: REALLY?
Well then I would sue the car maker for making the car without soft peddles.
Triple bonus millennial points!

Jasandjules

70,009 posts

230 months

Sunday 25th August 2019
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
I would invite you to re-read the OP.......

Digby

8,251 posts

247 months

Sunday 25th August 2019
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Would driving to Margate in a zipped up sleeping bag one Winters night because the heating in your Capri was broken be frowned upon? We called it mermaid mode. Pfft. Can't do anything these days.

Gareth79

7,722 posts

247 months

Sunday 25th August 2019
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Only legal if you have eaten four Toblerones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlcL7S1NzGM

Pothole

34,367 posts

283 months

Sunday 25th August 2019
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Vaud said:
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/road-safety/dri...

My guess is that the RAC do their research.
Your guess is probably about as valid as theirs. What research?

motco

15,992 posts

247 months

Sunday 25th August 2019
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I drove barefoot in my early (non-servo braked) cars quite often. It never seemed risky, and looking back, it doesn't now. Shoes that slip when wet are no better than a wet foot with toes able to grip the pedal to an extent. My Dad used to remove his rubbers (pedal, not 'other' rubbers!) and put tacks through from the back and then replace them so that the surface was very slightly spiky. I never drove his car barefoot! Lots of drivers seem to drive with no brains however...

NorthDave

2,371 posts

233 months

Sunday 25th August 2019
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If I'm driving anywhere over about an hr I will take my shoes off. I've always done it.

My car is an extension of my lounge.

Osinjak

5,453 posts

122 months

Sunday 25th August 2019
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Pedants.

DoubleD

22,154 posts

109 months

Sunday 25th August 2019
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Osinjak said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Pedants.
Ha ha ha

Jasandjules

70,009 posts

230 months

Sunday 25th August 2019
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Osinjak said:
Pedants.
Maybe he was waving a white one?

colin_p

4,503 posts

213 months

Sunday 25th August 2019
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I've no idea why anyone would want to drive barefoot.

But there again these days you quite often see actual grown men wearing shoes without any socks and trousers too short so you can see the lack of socks. The dirty sweaty footed hipster bds.

otolith

56,462 posts

205 months

Sunday 25th August 2019
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Coming out swinging there.

otolith

56,462 posts

205 months

Sunday 25th August 2019
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colin_p said:
I've no idea why anyone would want to drive barefoot.
In some cars it might be preferable to the footwear you have available (I’d rather have appropriate shoes)

I have done it on holiday because I didn’t want to put my shoes and socks back on until I had got all the sand off (impromptu paddling).

motco

15,992 posts

247 months

Monday 26th August 2019
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colin_p said:
I've no idea why anyone would want to drive barefoot.

But there again these days you quite often see actual grown men wearing shoes without any socks and trousers too short so you can see the lack of socks. The dirty sweaty footed hipster bds.
They probably don't wear underpants either...

CrgT16

1,986 posts

109 months

Monday 26th August 2019
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In Portugal you will be fined if found driving barefoot or with flip flops. If it’s specifically enshrined in law I do not know but you will get a fine.

It’s a bit reckless if you need an emergency stop IMO. Use driving shoes if you need the feel as it’s safer. The reason is that if you pick any sharper small debris on your foot you will not be able (if it’s a bit painful) to exert the same pedal pressure as with shoes. If you normally walk everywhere barefooted then your feet can take it.

gazza285

9,839 posts

209 months

Monday 26th August 2019
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Not much point in cars having carpets if you are going to wear shoes...