Driving in flips flops

It’s hard to keep up with the British weather, one day it’s wellies and the next the temptation is to drive in flip flops as the thermometer gauge climbs.

Is this legal? And is it safe?

It's not illegal to wear and drive in flip flops although the DVSA says “Suitable shoes are particularly important behind the wheel, with Rule 97 of the Highway Code stating that drivers should wear “footwear and clothing which does not prevent you from using the controls in the correct manner”. Most flip flops (certainly the ones I wear) have a thin sole and poor grip meaning they can slip off, get caught under pedals and make it difficult to brake if they are wet. If you are stopped by the police for a traffic misdemeanour you can be charged with driving without due care and attention/careless driving, resulting in a fine and points.

I wouldn't recommend driving barefoot either, because you don’t have the same braking force with bare feet as you do with shoes on.

So turn the aircon to cold, or better still take advantage of the warm weather and talk a walk - putting your best flip flop foot forward.

Nick Lloyd, acting head of road safety

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