Drivers treading dangerously with unsuitable footwear
A new survey by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has found that more than a third of motorists admit to driving in unsuitable footwear.
It found that 35% of more than 1,000 drivers surveyed said they drove in flip-flops, sliders or open-back sandals during June, with seven per cent admitting they wore inappropriate footwear for every journey during the month.
Nearly half (42%) of drivers aged 17-29 said they wore sliders or flip-flops while driving, with 38% of those aged 30-34.
Meanwhile, 39% of women do compared to 31% of men.
While there is no specific legal restriction on driving in flip-flops, IAM RoadSmart has warned that this type of unsuitable footwear is not designed to grip pedals securely, can slip off during a journey, or become trapped underneath the brake or accelerator.
Unsuitable footwear
IAM RoadSmart director of policy and external communications Nicholas Lyes, said: “We all love kicking off our shoes when the sun’s out, and flip-flops or sliders may be considered an essential clothing item in a British heatwave. The trouble is, while they’re brilliant for the beach or the garden, they can seriously impact on your ability to drive safely.
“Our advice is to keep your flip-flops handy in the boot, but wear something comfortable yet sturdy when behind the wheel. A slipped shoe or a slippery sole is all it takes to turn a sunny afternoon into a scary one.”
