Driving Footwear Guide
Your brand-new pair of sandals might look fantastic, but certain footwear just isn't suitable for driving in. Even something as simple as changing gears could cause a serious accident in the wrong type of shoes.
What shoes to avoid when driving
The sole of the foot can become trapped underneath the pedal whilst raising your foot to change gear. Wearing mules, flip-flops, and other shoes without adequate ankle support can lead to the foot slipping off the pedal or missing the pedal altogether.
High heels are not advised for similar reasons. These dangers can cause accidents if you don't have enough time to recover from the situation.
What are the best shoes for driving?
Generally, the best option is to find footwear with thin soles, narrow welts (a necessity if your vehicle contains a confined pedal box) and adequate ankle flexibility. Trainers are best avoided as the soles are too thick and padded. Pumps or deck shoes are a safer option. For material reasons, keeping a pair of suitable driving shoes in the car avoids the chance of ruining a dressy pair of shoes on sharp objects in the footwell.
When shopping for shoes which you plan to wear whilst driving, forget about assessing how well you can walk in them. Instead, focus on how they will feel when you are driving, particularly how your ankles will be positioned in them. In reducing the level of discomfort, you will also decrease the amount of effort required for driving. This is especially important for long-distance driving and will increase your control and safety.
Best shoes for driving in the rain
You'll need to take greater care in wet weather. Slippery soles make it more likely that your foot will miss the pedal or slide off prematurely. To combat this, ensure you dry them thoroughly on the carpet in the footwell before driving.
Top driving footwear tips
The Driving Standards Agency issues the following advice: "Wear sensible clothing for driving, especially on a long journey. Suitable shoes are particularly significant. We also would not recommend driving barefoot because you don't have the same braking force with barefoot as you do with shoes."
Features of suitable driving footwear:
- The sole of the shoe should be no thicker than 10mm
- At the same time, the sole shouldn't be too thin or too soft
- There should be enough grip to prevent the sole from slipping off the pedals
- The shoe shouldn't be too heavy
- It shouldn't limit ankle movement
- It shouldn't be wide enough to mean accidentally stepping on two pedals
- Gym or walking shoes should work fine
The right footwear can make all the difference to your driving safety. Leave the dressy shoes aside whilst driving- it could save your life.
