Hi,

I was wondering where the law stands on driving without footwear as on monday some pratt was driving too fast up a country road in the lakes and swiped all down the side of my car. I got his details and also took a picture of him stood by the car barefooted. It was his fault for driving too fast in the rain and he admitted that he was going too fast to stop in time.

Any advice would be great as I need to contact my insurance company later today when I get home.

From the Highway Code

73: Before setting off. You should ensure that:

* clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner

Not sure what exactly that means, but I would just let the insurance company fight it out. That's why you pay them handsomly for.

http://www.5ive-o.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12778

This thread on 5ive-o asked exactly the same question.

Neil

I'm sure I have heard / read somewhere that driving without footwear is illegal.

Thats what I thought.

Im sure I also heard that they urged you not to wear flip flops as people were getting them caught on the pedals....

Do socks count as 'very thing footwear' ?

It's not illegal to drive in bare feet. It all comes down to whether you have control over the car when doing so, which will obviously vary from person to person.

I hope it isn't illegal. I take my sandals off to drive so I don't get the caught on the carpet etc and drive in bare feet. :eek:

If I am going out and have a stupidly high pair of shoes on I often take them off before driving.

Also when you have a new pair of wellies they can be quite stiff. That is worth bearing in mind

Its not illegal - there was an item in the paper (Mail!!) last year about it. Basically not recommended as the pressure which can be applied to the pedal is reduced if barefooted.... (still doesnt stop me as it is definately better than flip flops IMO)

HTH