There is nothing worse than the feeling of your feet being covered in sand after a great day at the beach. The only thing that can worsen this is trying to put on shoes afterwards. You might think that barefoot driving is okay if you’re not driving too far. What could possibly go wrong? Can you get pulled over and face fines for driving barefoot?
While barefoot driving might seem common, especially if you’re on vacation, however, you should think about the possible repercussions before doing so. Is it illegal to drive barefoot? If you’re wondering, BrokerLink is here to help you find out.
The law around driving barefoot
So, is driving barefoot illegal? In short, the answer is no. Driving barefoot is perfectly legal because the Highway Traffic Act does not ban driving without shoes. You will be charged for driving barefoot, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t come without risks. For example, if you get into an accident while driving barefoot, you can be charged for careless driving. Having no fault insurance is helpful in these situations.
It's always best to wear shoes when driving, particularly closed toe shoes. It's something good to do alongside following our safe driving tips. Not only is this easier than barefoot driving, but it's safer, too. In the next section, we will discuss the dangers of driving barefoot.
The dangers of barefoot driving
When you drive without wearing shoes, you put yourself at a higher risk for accidents. It's not illegal to drive barefoot, as it doesn't violate any traffic laws, but having the appropriate footwear can lead to safer driving. Here are some reasons to avoid driving barefoot:
Vehicle traction and control
If you aren't wearing shoes when driving, controlling your vehicle is harder. Shoes can more easily grip the brake pedal if you have to stop in the event of an emergency. Barefoot driving puts you at risk of your foot slipping off the pedal. It also slows your reaction time.
Pressure on the pedal
Bare feet cannot push down on the pedal as easily as shoes can. That's because there isn't the weight available. Some may think driving barefoot enhances pedal sensitivity, but this isn't completely true. You have to balance pushing on the pedals and keeping a secure grip.
Foot protection
Even when you're wearing flip-flops or high heels, your shoes help protect your feet better than no shoes at all. If you get in an accident, debris and glass shards can injure you anywhere, including your feet. Driving barefoot can hurt your feet if the worst-case scenario occurs. Always be sure to have liability insurance, just in case.
Temperature and comfort
If they do, you would think people usually opt to drive barefoot in the summer. When the weather heats up, the pedals can get hot and, sometimes, even burn your feet. On the other hand, if you drive barefoot in the winter, you could get frostbite and lose control of your motor vehicle.
Whether you're driving your car or motorcycle barefoot, you're taking a risk. Even slipping on a pair of sandals can make a difference. With that in mind, we've prepared a guide to driving in various types of shoes so you don't have to risk shoeless driving.
Understanding driving while wearing shoes
There are alternatives to driving barefoot. After all, your footwear selection will vary as the temperatures heat up or cool down. Let's discuss the different types of shoes people wear when driving and what to use and avoid:
Flip flops and slippers
Flip-flops and slippers are comfortable shoes for lounging around the house or your backyard. However they aren't great for driving, but they are better than driving barefoot. Only drive in these as a last resort, as they can easily slip off your feet.
High heels
Everyone wants to look great for their next big event. This doesn't mean you should not wear high-heeled shoes when driving, though. Wearing them makes it harder to control your vehicle because they do not provide traction, interfere with shifting, and make it hard to put your feet at an angle.
Work, hiking, or winter boots
Sometimes, you have no choice, but to wear your work, hiking or winter boots when driving. What you might not know is if they make it more difficult to measure the weight of your foot on the pedal or they may apply more pressure if they have a steel toe or heavy sole. It can cause you to accelerate too quickly or brake late.
Laced shoes
Shoes with laces are better than driving barefoot because they provide a flat surface to push on the pedals. Remember to tie your laces up tightly, though. If you don't, you risk the laces getting wrapped around the pedals.
Brand new shoes
Do you know how you're always told to break your shoes before walking in them? The same thing is true when driving with them. That's because the pressure point will affect your footing. Always get used to your shoes before driving to feel safe and comfortable.
Whether it's hot or cold outside, you should not drive barefoot. It's not safe, but neither is driving in flip flops, high heeled shoes, or heavy boots. While it's not illegal to drive barefoot, it's not safe and can lead to a claim of shared fault if you get into an accident.
Reach out to BrokerLink for your car insurance!
There are many safety concerns when it comes to driving barefoot. Police officers cannot arrest you for driving barefoot, but you can get charged if you get into an accident, and your insurance premiums can go up. After all, your insurance company will determine who's at fault when everything is said and done. Various types of insurance policies are available — some are mandatory, and others are not. Here are the types of insurance policies BrokerLink can help you find:
If you're looking for an affordable car insurance policy that suits your needs, BrokerLink has you covered. Contact us today to get some quotes!
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