Driving barefoot
Discussion
This weekend, I've been to Switzerland from Frankfurt. When I was driving there on Friday, I was wearing boatshoes (boatshoeheads, I know). On Saturday I was barefoot the whole day, as we went sailing. Thus, when I drove back to Frankfurt in the evening, I was driving barefoot. Road conditions on the autobahn allowed for spirited driving; one and one came together, and I've had 290km/h on the speedometer at some points.
I didn't think about being barefoot at that time, as it didn't feel wrong. This got me thinking however - do you have less control when driving barefoot? Anyone any bad experience?
I didn't think about being barefoot at that time, as it didn't feel wrong. This got me thinking however - do you have less control when driving barefoot? Anyone any bad experience?
I've had to hit the brakes hard two times (as it's the nature on making progress) and it was ok - even then I didn't remember I was bare foot.
In Germany, the law states that you have to make sure, you're always in full control of your vehicle. In my opinion, driving a car with the common foot brake on flip flops means not being in full control (as the soles are almost not attached to your foot). However, barefoot feels ok - and most car's pedals have a rubber covering and no spikes. One might be a bit sensitive on the feet, if one is not used to being barefoot.
In Germany, the law states that you have to make sure, you're always in full control of your vehicle. In my opinion, driving a car with the common foot brake on flip flops means not being in full control (as the soles are almost not attached to your foot). However, barefoot feels ok - and most car's pedals have a rubber covering and no spikes. One might be a bit sensitive on the feet, if one is not used to being barefoot.
iva cosworth said:
I was under the impression it is an offence to drive barefoot ,in Britain ??
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Not at all..
I always take my shoes off if I'm going to be driving any sort of reasonable distance. It's more comfortable and feels like you have that little bit more control over the pedals.
Regularly driven home from the beach just wearing a wetsuit, no shoes perfectly safe... ok you'll need huge feet to heel and toe without shoes but why would you need to.
Never had problems with braking don't see how it could possibly hurt your feet.
Wouldn't recommend it in a caterham, you might burn them
Surely high heels or flip-flops are the most dangerous.
Never had problems with braking don't see how it could possibly hurt your feet.
Wouldn't recommend it in a caterham, you might burn them
Surely high heels or flip-flops are the most dangerous.
If you're comfortable with it then I don't see anything wrong with it. I've tried it before but found it uncomfortable just using the balls of my foot. It's not as bad as driving with flip flops (I've been run into by a lady in flip flops when they came off as she was braking at traffic lights).
The main problem I have with bare feet is that I can never get the heater controls right, if I'm barefoot it will be hot out and I'll end up with icicles for toes from the aircon.It all depends on the surface and material type of pedals your car have and how firm or spongey your brakes are etc.
I've done it a few times when my shoes have been wet or muddy for example but personally don't like it. I get the feeling that if I had to emergency stop my foot could slip off.
I've done it a few times when my shoes have been wet or muddy for example but personally don't like it. I get the feeling that if I had to emergency stop my foot could slip off.
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