Those of you who saw the comment in the thread on driving shoes about driving barefoot and the response from a couple of people who thought that this was in some way illegal will be doubtless mollified with the news that I bring having checked this out with our very own enforcers of the law. The po-po tell me that there is no law against driving barefoot, nor in any form of platforms, flip-flops, stilettos, clown shoes or any other form of apparently inappropriate footwear.
The highway code apparently makes only this comment:
"You should ensure that clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner"
However the highway code is simply advisory and not law.
Interestingly one member of Her Majesty’s five-oh did say that whilst having his Babylon in full effect he presented charges of “driving without due care and attention” to a motorist who crashed while wearing flip-flops as the officer's opinion was that this was a contributory factor in said bumpage due to reduced car control. I do not know if the charges stuck or if this was dismissed.
The boys (and grlz) in blue make the point that while something may not be specifically illegal in a car if that then becomes something that they can “call into question” should there be an accident you may have to come up with a stern defence.
However barefoot driving did not seem to be a legal or safety concern to any of the officers who responded. One officer commented “works for me, you wouldnt pick your nose wearing gloves would you?“
Hope this clarifies this matter for y'all.
Rt. Hon. Akku Q.C.
The highway code apparently makes only this comment:
"You should ensure that clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner"
However the highway code is simply advisory and not law.
Interestingly one member of Her Majesty’s five-oh did say that whilst having his Babylon in full effect he presented charges of “driving without due care and attention” to a motorist who crashed while wearing flip-flops as the officer's opinion was that this was a contributory factor in said bumpage due to reduced car control. I do not know if the charges stuck or if this was dismissed.
The boys (and grlz) in blue make the point that while something may not be specifically illegal in a car if that then becomes something that they can “call into question” should there be an accident you may have to come up with a stern defence.
However barefoot driving did not seem to be a legal or safety concern to any of the officers who responded. One officer commented “works for me, you wouldnt pick your nose wearing gloves would you?“
Hope this clarifies this matter for y'all.
Rt. Hon. Akku Q.C.
