Footwear
Author
Discussion

grumpy52

Original Poster:

5,930 posts

188 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
Is there a definitive answer to what footwear is illegal to drive in .
Like thousands of truckers I drove in crocs or clogs all over Europe and the UK for many years.
Now people are telling me that if the police see you in certain footwear they will be able to issue tickets.

Muzzer79

12,614 posts

209 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
Who is saying this and what certain footwear are they referring to?

Mr Miata

1,217 posts

72 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
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Are Crocs wearers getting stopped by the Fashion Police?

willisit

2,167 posts

253 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
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There's plenty of "advice" but no rule beyond:

Rule 97: "clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner"

texaxile

3,631 posts

172 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
According to google:

"There are no specific laws concerning footwear whilst driving. However, Rule 97 of the Highway Code does state that the clothing and footwear you choose to wear whilst driving should not prevent you from using the controls properly."

I think plod take a dim view of people driving in flip flops due to them perhaps getting stuck or folded under the pedal, but in truth I've honestly no idea.

Driving in croc's should get you 2 years for poor taste. wink

In summer I'll very occasionally drive barefoot, then slip my "Nike Bethlehems" on when I get out.

sixor8

7,614 posts

290 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
There was the usual clickbait rubbish about being prosecuted for driving in flip-flops when it was hot. However, if you had an accident and they found footwear wedged under the pedals or that it contributed to the accident, then maybe. Flip-flops do have a tendency to inhibit pedal action.

Personally, I've found it easier to drive in bare feet in the summer, and then put on whatever light footwear I have when I arrive. smile

QBee

22,048 posts

166 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
I did a track day once in my steel toe-capped work boots.

I had put them on to protect my feet while loading the car onto my trailer, and forgot to change afterwards.
It's at times like these that you realise how close together the pedals are..... banghead

QuattroDave

1,756 posts

150 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
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Reading between the lines, heels are fine as long as they 'go' with the rest of the outfit.

grumpy52

Original Poster:

5,930 posts

188 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
QBee said:
I did a track day once in my steel toe-capped work boots.

I had put them on to protect my feet while loading the car onto my trailer, and forgot to change afterwards.
It's at times like these that you realise how close together the pedals are..... banghead
I was once given the job of being chief Marshall looking after the cars in Parc Ferme at the end of a European Rallycross meeting. One of the competitors asked if I could drive his car back to the paddock when the cars were released.
Imagine my disappointment when I couldn't get my para boot clad size 11s into the footwell of one of the quickest Metro 6R4s in the world. I reluctantly asked one of the other marshalls who had changed into his size 8 trainers to take it back .

vikingaero

12,177 posts

191 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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There are people who drive bare footed, in flip flops, sliders and high heels. And some people think they shouldn't do so.

austina35

394 posts

74 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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Purchase a pair of Gazelle. Preferably with the light blue stripes. You'll be able to drive to the moon and back.

48k

16,108 posts

170 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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grumpy52 said:
Imagine my disappointment when I couldn't get my para boot clad size 11s into the footwell of one of the quickest Metro 6R4s in the world.
Not just size 11 boots but PARA size 11 boots! OMGz!

grumpy52

Original Poster:

5,930 posts

188 months

Friday 17th November 2023
quotequote all

Not ideal , not very flexible.

donkmeister

11,461 posts

122 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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When someone rolls out their "did you know it's illegal to drive barefoot" BS I like to tell them it's also illegal to drive without driving gloves on.

So... Stringback or fully enclosed?!?!

donkmeister

11,461 posts

122 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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grumpy52 said:

Not ideal , not very flexible.
But your goth daughter can at least borrow them on Friday nights... Saves cash!

Tomo1971

1,173 posts

179 months

Friday 17th November 2023
quotequote all
I believe that the issue will raise its head in the event of an incident where the driver has failed to control the vehicle and it can be reasonably shown that it was due to the clothing / footwear been worn at the time.

Ie, driver needed to brake hard but the flip flop, slipped off leaving them to brake hard with bare feet but was unable to, or the flip flop got stuck under the pedal etc.

As good a driver as we all think we are, accident free for decades - if some c0ckwomble decides to pull out on us and you need to brake hard and can't, despite the other driver been at fault, a court would see that if other drivers have time to avoid, a reasonably suited and booted driver would be able to do so.

TooLateForAName

4,902 posts

206 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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My mother was once rear ended by a young woman in stilettoes who was holding her car on the clutch at a level crossing. No damage to mums car, but the tow bar made quite a mess of the front of the mini.

Bill

56,982 posts

277 months

Friday 17th November 2023
quotequote all
Tomo1971 said:
I believe that the issue will raise its head in the event of an incident where the driver has failed to control the vehicle and it can be reasonably shown that it was due to the clothing / footwear been worn at the time.

Ie, driver needed to brake hard but the flip flop, slipped off leaving them to brake hard with bare feet but was unable to, or the flip flop got stuck under the pedal etc.

As good a driver as we all think we are, accident free for decades - if some c0ckwomble decides to pull out on us and you need to brake hard and can't, despite the other driver been at fault, a court would see that if other drivers have time to avoid, a reasonably suited and booted driver would be able to do so.
Why can't you brake hard in bare feet?

Oceanrower

1,238 posts

134 months

Friday 17th November 2023
quotequote all
Bill said:
Tomo1971 said:
I believe that the issue will raise its head in the event of an incident where the driver has failed to control the vehicle and it can be reasonably shown that it was due to the clothing / footwear been worn at the time.

Ie, driver needed to brake hard but the flip flop, slipped off leaving them to brake hard with bare feet but was unable to, or the flip flop got stuck under the pedal etc.

As good a driver as we all think we are, accident free for decades - if some c0ckwomble decides to pull out on us and you need to brake hard and can't, despite the other driver been at fault, a court would see that if other drivers have time to avoid, a reasonably suited and booted driver would be able to do so.
Why can't you brake hard in bare feet?
You can. But Tomo1971 once read that you couldn’t drive like that and still thinks so to this day…

ferret50

2,648 posts

31 months

Sunday 19th November 2023
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When I was working as a lorry driver my employer provided steel toe cap boots to wear whilst working, and they were checked when loading a trailer in a steelworks.

However, whilst loading at frieght forwarder type places it was usual to see the Poles and Froggie drivers wearing clogs or even flip flops.

I guess that if you have a two/three day trip to a much warmer climate, this will dictate your footwear to some extent.