Driving barefoot legal?
Discussion
Sebring440 said:
ian in lancs said:
To the best of my knowledge it isn’t illegal. I gues the question is whether you can press the brake pedal with enough force in an emergency.
What?
I only drive barefoot when wearing flip flops.
Edited by BobSaunders on Monday 26th August 09:18
This reminds me of the prevalent view in Elf and Safety that safety boots must support the ankle, so some types are no longer allowed on site e.g. rigger boots.
Human being are naturally provided for in the ankle support department, we don't need any additional support, historically we have generally gone barefoot, and many people in the modern world continue to do so either for practical or financial reasons.
Human being are naturally provided for in the ankle support department, we don't need any additional support, historically we have generally gone barefoot, and many people in the modern world continue to do so either for practical or financial reasons.
warch said:
This reminds me of the prevalent view in Elf and Safety that safety boots must support the ankle, so some types are no longer allowed on site e.g. rigger boots.
Human being are naturally provided for in the ankle support department, we don't need any additional support, historically we have generally gone barefoot, and many people in the modern world continue to do so either for practical or financial reasons.
Rigger boots were banned by the fashion police, who normally I hate and take no notice of, but with that decision, like a rare eclipse, they were actually spot on. I bet hipsters wear them without socks as well, the dirty sweaty footed bHuman being are naturally provided for in the ankle support department, we don't need any additional support, historically we have generally gone barefoot, and many people in the modern world continue to do so either for practical or financial reasons.
ds.As for ankle support, remember that where there is blame there is a claim. Accidentally leaving a bit of broken brick or an off-cut of wood on the floor is leaving you wide open for twisted ankle com pen say shun from a rigger boot wearing dirty sweaty footed b
d hipster who would only waste the money on yet even more tattoos and various beard oils.When I was learning in the late-90s some of my friends were taught that barefoot driving is "illegal". I wonder if it's an urban myth perpetuated by driving instructors who don't bother checking.
I do it sometimes, I have wide feet and find that most manual cars don't have enough space between the clutch and accelerator for me to press the brake with my foot straight.
Note: one of the guys who was taught the barefoot driving bit was also taught that it was illegal for learners to exceed 30mph at any time.
I do it sometimes, I have wide feet and find that most manual cars don't have enough space between the clutch and accelerator for me to press the brake with my foot straight.
Note: one of the guys who was taught the barefoot driving bit was also taught that it was illegal for learners to exceed 30mph at any time.
I suspect that should you be the cause of an accident the fact that you were wearing nothing on your feet 'might' I repeat 'might' count against you when Plod investigates.
For long journeys I wear a pair of soft soled slip-on well fitting deck shoes. They keep my feet cool in hot weather & provide greater sensitivity if I'm pressing on quickly. For some reason they also relieve or delay the onset of sciatica & it's a pleasure to change shoes when arriving at my destination.
Despite owning some classic & modern sporting machinery I wouldn't be seen dead wearing poncy racing drivers boots which I do realise assist with pedal sensitivity - what a berk I'd look & feel.
For long journeys I wear a pair of soft soled slip-on well fitting deck shoes. They keep my feet cool in hot weather & provide greater sensitivity if I'm pressing on quickly. For some reason they also relieve or delay the onset of sciatica & it's a pleasure to change shoes when arriving at my destination.
Despite owning some classic & modern sporting machinery I wouldn't be seen dead wearing poncy racing drivers boots which I do realise assist with pedal sensitivity - what a berk I'd look & feel.
WJNB said:
I wouldn't be seen dead wearing poncy racing drivers boots which I do realise assist with pedal sensitivity - what a berk I'd look & feel.
They also provide a giggle for fellow petrol station customers as you step out onto the slippery diesel-coated concrete with soles not designed to provide traction on such surfaces. 
(Unless that was just one chap wearing a particularly gripless-pair)
In the event of an accident and needing to get out of the vehicle in a hurry (fire maybe) with broken glass all over the road I'm pretty certain I wouldn't want to be messing around trying to find my shoes.
Do people who drive barefoot keep their shoes in the driver or passenger foot well or behind the front seats?
Do people who drive barefoot keep their shoes in the driver or passenger foot well or behind the front seats?
Reminded me of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsWUsd3cWgU
JustALooseScrew said:
In the event of an accident and needing to get out of the vehicle in a hurry (fire maybe) with broken glass all over the road I'm pretty certain I wouldn't want to be messing around trying to find my shoes.
This - plus the DFT advise against it so, ignoring that advice COULD be used against you. Graveworm said:
JustALooseScrew said:
In the event of an accident and needing to get out of the vehicle in a hurry (fire maybe) with broken glass all over the road I'm pretty certain I wouldn't want to be messing around trying to find my shoes.
This - plus the DFT advise against it so, ignoring that advice COULD be used against you. Oceanrower said:
Could be used against you as what? How can they use "Not breaking the law" against you?
There is no law that specifically says that you can't tailgate, drink from a cup whilst driving or do a wheelie on a motorbike. But there are laws which can cover certain behaviour and people get prosecuted for them all the time. When deciding what contravenes them, courts CAN look at official guidance. So since the DfT advise against driving barefoot as "You have less braking force compared to when wearing shoes" and the Highway code says wear sensible footwear; they may decide that a competent and careful driver, wouldn't drive without them or it could indicate that they were not in proper control of a vehicle. May this year they had a pre-summer campaign warning drivers against it and pointing out it could lead to a prosecution:
"Motorists could land a huge fine and penalty points just based on which footwear they are wearing. In fact, you could be fined up to £5,000 and nine penalty points based on the type of shoe you have on your feet. Flip flops, sandals and even heels are all summer shoes and many drivers will be wanting to wear them over the coming months. However, they, as well as driving barefoot, could all land you a fine."
Edited by Graveworm on Tuesday 27th August 19:17
donkmeister said:
WJNB said:
I wouldn't be seen dead wearing poncy racing drivers boots which I do realise assist with pedal sensitivity - what a berk I'd look & feel.
They also provide a giggle for fellow petrol station customers as you step out onto the slippery diesel-coated concrete with soles not designed to provide traction on such surfaces. (Unless that was just one chap wearing a particularly gripless-pair)
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