Driving in flip flops could land you a £5,000 fine this summer
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When the summer vibes are in full flow - anything above 19 degrees in the UK - we tend to have more of a care-free approach to pretty much everything.
As soon as the shorts and sandals come on, it almost feels like happier/more chilled version of yourself appears out of nowhere.
However, when you're getting in your car to go and grab some BBQ essentials, it's important to remember to leave your flip flops at home.
This is because driving in flip flops - or any footwear that 'prevents you from properly using controls in the vehicle' - could land you with a £5,000 fine.
If a police officer pulls you over and deems your footwear to be inappropriate, a 'Driving Without Due Care and Attention' offence could be heading your way.
It is defined as 'allowing the standard of driving to fall below that of a competent and careful driver'.
The offence comes with a fixed fine of £100 along with three points on your driving license.
However, according to RAC: "The maximum penalty here is nine points on your licence and a £5,000 fine."
Failure to comply could result in being 'disqualified from driving altogether'.
According to the Driving Standards Agency, your driving shoes should:
- Have a sole no thicker than 10mm
- The sole should not be too thin or soft
- Provide enough grip to stop your foot slipping off the pedals.
- Not be too heavy
- Not limit ankle movement
- Be narrow enough to avoid accidentally depressing two pedals at once
Under Rule 97 of the Highway Code, drivers are advised they must have 'footwear and clothing which does not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner'.
Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Research, told The Sun Motors: “Before setting off, you should ensure that clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner.
“If flip flops stopped you being in control you could be prosecuted, as you are breaking Highway Code Rule 97.
"Careless driving is mostly judged on the impact your driving has on others around you, so if you are spotted swerving or braking erratically and then stopped and found to have inadequate footwear, you could be prosecuted.
"If you do cause a crash, then it could also be an aggravating factor against you in court and lead to a slightly higher fine or longer ban.”
Selim Cavanagh, Chief Executive at ingenie, said: “It’s promising that almost a third of drivers assume driving in flip flops is illegal, because it’s really dangerous.
"They slip off, slide under the pedals, get caught between your feet and the pedals and if your feet are wet, they’ll affect your ability to brake if you need to.
“Aside from the actual rules though, driving in flip flops can create a dangerous driving environment, and put you, your passengers, and other road users at risk."
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