If you’re headed to the beach, driving in flip-flops or other backless sandals might be convenient, but the summer outfit staples can be a safety hazard.
Is driving in flip-flops illegal? No. But unsecured footwear may be responsible for more car crashes than we think, according to a British survey. About one-third of respondents admitted to driving in flip-flops and almost as many reported having a problem while driving in them.
Why to Stop Driving in Flip-Flops
“The big issue is possible limited pedal control,” said John Paul, AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor and senior manager for traffic safety. “Flip-flops don’t fit as well as shoes and can either fall off or get caught under the pedals or even floor mats. This can also cause some delay in hitting the brake in an emergency due to the loose fit. Also, if the flip-flops are wider, as many are, it is possible to hit the brake and accelerator at the same time.”
Simulator studies have indicated that drivers wearing flip-flops take twice the amount of time to move their foot from the gas pedal to the brake.
And just because it is legal doesn’t mean it is a good idea. If driving in sandals contributes to a crash, the choice of footwear won’t be an excuse — it will be evidence of a bad decision.
In one instance, a Massachusetts woman who drove her car over a curb in a parking lot and onto two parked cars told police she lost control of the vehicle when her flip-flop got caught in the pedals. She was charged with negligent operation.
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Most states encourage drivers to wear “appropriate” footwear, as in something that will not interfere with the ability to use the pedals. This not only includes flip-flops, but shoes with clunky bottoms or very high heels.
It’s best for drivers to get into that mindset early. AAA Driving School requires students to wear appropriate footwear during in-car lessons. The class guidelines explain that “bare feet, sandals or flip-flops are not acceptable, and the instructor may reserve the right to cancel the lesson if they determine the student is not wearing safe footwear.”
So what footwear is best for driving? “Comfortable, secure fitting shoes with a flat sole are best for applying even pressure when braking or accelerating,” said Brian Butterworth, AAA Northeast’s senior manager for driver training. Fully enclosed shoes with a large toe box are ideal because they are more stable, and your heel should be able to touch the car floor. Good ankle support and thin soles are critical, so drivers can judge how much pressure to apply on the pedals. Flats, loafers and sneakers are good choices.
And it’s a good idea to always keep a pair of driving shoes in the car to change into after you leave the beach.
What are your thoughts about driving in flip-flops? Have you ever done it?
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27 Thoughts on “Stop Driving in Flip-Flops”
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I do wear sandals in the summer, including when I drive – but never backless sandals or flipflops. As I learned long ago, flipflops are also unsafe when riding a bike, or on the stairs, as they fall off too easily. So I’d advise limiting their use to walking on the beach or at the pool.
Also, when I go out kayaking I wear waterproof Teva sandals, but find them too large and clumsy for driving, so I drive to the beach in sneakers and change into the Tevas after I arrive.
To Ellen Delislo: Thank you for this timely and thought provoking article on flip flops and sandals for driving. I often do that in the warm weather and in recent years, as I have gotten older, a little vioce has been whispering in my ear about reconsidering that choice and I think I was meant to read your article. Having recently entered my 70″s I am begining to change some of the behaviors I have been used to doing my entire life, realizing there are limitations as we age. Thankfully, there is wisdom that comes with age for many of us, and the flexibility to change when appropriate. I think you have saved many lives with this article, maybe even mine, and I thank you. Cathie Rankin
Dear Ms. Rankin,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I am glad I could be of help.
Best,
Ellen Delisio
Several years ago, I was within a mile of my home when my car was t-boned. I was was wearing flip flops and wound up with several broken toes.
yes, years ago i had flip flops on, was in a parking space and almost hit a food delivery man when my flip flop came off and got tangled in carpeting, accelerator, whichever, and i NEVER do it. i do keep shoes in trunk for the beach or whenever i have sandals on. i feel UGG boots are also bad for driving. Too wide and clumsy; love them for walking but not driving. i change shoes; very important and anyone who thinks it wont happen to them had better beware.
I’ve been driving manual transmission cars since 1974. I wear sandals and open back shoes. I’ve never had an accident. My two feet can find the three pedals in any kind of shoes.
Yah, same here — then again, I’ve done a lot of things for decades that I know are not safe and never had an accident. But I am not so naive as to say that fact means they are safe; such a conclusion would just mean I am a cantankerous old man (I am) too set in my ways to think clearly.
I too have been driving since 1974. I too drive a manual. In the summer I enjoy wearing a comfortable pair of flip flops. I actually use bare feet if I get in the car with flip flops on.
I’ve been driving barefoot for 46 years! Like others say here, I feel much more in control. I can feel the pedal. My toes certainly cannot get “tangled!” That comment is hysTERical!
I have neurothapy-my shoes feel like I have a pair of vice grips on my feet- I’ve been driving with socks only (stick shift) for over 10 years-never felt unsafe doing so
Is it okay to drive in bare feet?
I would assume that driving barefoot wouldn’t pose any of the problems outlined in the article regarding lose and unstable floppies. In fact, I would think driving barefoot or with socks would give a driver even more control of things like pressure feedback and the feel of the peddle position relative to your foot — all a plus plus when feeling where and what your foot actually is toughing. That feedback information would probably be better than when you have a shoe between you and the peddle.
In which states is it illegal to drive barefooted?
Driving barefoot is legal in every U.S.
Driving barefoot is legal in the U.S.
It is legal to drive barefoot in every state.
I don’t drive in open heel footwear or bare feet. When I drive to the beach, I wear water shoes and leave them on when I arrive. You don’t need two sets of footwear.
Absolutely never drive either barefoot or in flip flip type off sandal. I had a friend who almost died when het wooden type flip flip got stuck on then foot well surface and she could not step on the brake ANF drove straight into a tree. She was lucky that time but incurred many injuries. Taught us all a lesson. Bare feet is also a no no! Talk about toes getting caught or crushed ad one steps on pedals! I don’t think it should be made illegal, just some common sense and some advertising might hrlp.
In the summer I take my sandal off my driving foot and drive barefoot. I can truly feel the pedal and I’m much more in control. In any kind of sandal or shoe I can’t feel the pedal as well!!! I had a fender bender when I was wearing sandals and they were strapped on my foot, not flip flops. But it was too wide and hit both pedals at the same time as I was going into a parking space, and hit the car on his bumper. Cost me $950.00 So now I take the sandal off that foot, and put the sandal on the seat next to me so it doesn’t roll under a pedal.
As to dangerous women-in-sandals: Please note that men have worn sandals, too, since they were invented forever ago!
Let’s give men at least equal time for dangerous sandal driving!
Driving barefoot used to be common especially in summers or when a/c was sketchy. You feet don’t get caught on things, won’t confuse pedals, and can move fast, and also enjoy the full benefits of the floor vents ;). Also, Birk**stocks or other shaped, flat, non-floppy sandals seem very stable for driving.
I agree with this article wholeheartedly! As a person who is always trying to look ahead to prevent possible tragic situations, I’ve never driven in unsafe footwear, but I know some people do…being oblivious to the possible consequences. Good suggestion to keep a pair of driving shoes in the car for after beach driving!
There’s a reason for that rule. My spouse went to pull the car into the garage in his sock feet. His foot slipped off the brake. We need a new ladder and several new panting frames. Thank God that was the extent of the damage.
Recently, I left the house in a pair of sandals that I felt were unsafe for me to drive in. My car is small and the brake and accelerator pedals are close together. My feeling was that I wouldn’t be able to tell if I was hitting the accelerator instead of the brake in some instances. So, I pulled over to a safe spot and took my sandals off. I felt that I would be safer in bare feet because I was better able to tell which pedal my foot was on. I don’t know if it’s against the law to drive with bare feet, but I felt it was a safer option. I had to make multiple stops to do errands, so each time I would park my car, put my sandals on and then go into the store. Once I was back in my car, I would take the sandals off. After going through all this, I am much more careful about checking what shoes I have on now before I leave the house to drive somewhere.
Yes, I have driven in flip-flops. Just yesterday, as a matter of fact, and I actually felt at the time it was a mistake. I realized that they were not secure, and tended to drift on my feet as I drove. After that, and coincidentally finding this article this morning, I won’t do it again. I will put some spare shoes in the car in case I need to change them. Thanks for the hint.
My wife’s Sandal got caught between the firewall and the accelerator on the highway. When traffic slowed ahead, she had to drive on the shoulder/grass before We could slow down. Very scary.
Flip flops are illegal in a commercial vehicle