Flip-flops most dangerous shoe to drive in

Driving in flip-flops is more dangerous than heels, with the flimsy footwear responsible for an estimated 1.4 million car crashes or near misses per year.

A study commissioned by car insurance company Sheilas’ Wheels found that one third of motorists wear the not so supportive shoe behind the wheel, topping a poll of the top five summer footwear Brits struggle to drive in.

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As many as 51% of drivers surveyed admitted struggling to drive in flip-flops, while 49% said they’d found it difficult to drive in bare feet. The latter is not technically illegal, but if it means that you aren’t in proper control of a motor vehicle, you could still face action by the police.

In third place, 38% of respondents to the survey admitted they’d experienced difficulty manipulating the pedals in wedge heels, while a quarter of all motorists asked said espadrilles, or other canvas-type shoes caused them problems with control at some point.

Rounding out the top five worst types of footwear to drive in were sandals – 18% of people revealed the strappy shoe had caused them difficulties in controlling a car.

According to the research study, wearing flip-flops impairs your movement between the brake and accelerator pedal by up to 0.1 seconds – this sounds a tiny fraction of time, but that momentary delay could be enough to cause a crash.

Add to that flip-flops reduce the average driver’s braking force by 3% compared to safer, sturdier shoes – the equivalent of travelling an extra 4m at 60mph, or about another car length – and it’s easy to see how footwear has an impact on safety.

Despite this, 20% of drivers have never considered their footwear might affect their ability to drive. One in five asked continued to wear shoes they’d had a near miss in, while 24% actually admitted getting their shoe stuck under a pedal.

It seems that women are more safety conscious when it comes to shoe choice, with 36% carrying a spare pair of safe driving shoes compared to just 12% of men.

To combat these footwear faux pars, Sheilas’ Wheels has actually designed a new safety accessory to support your heel when wearing flip-flops. The foldable contraption will fit in your glove box and adds extra stability to improve braking force, as well as aiding movement between the brake and accelerator.

Head of projects at Sheilas’ Wheels, Jacky Brown:

“It’s worrying that so many drivers out there do not realise the impact their footwear choices can have on their safety at the wheel.

“Millions may think they can drive safely but may not realise the shortcomings of the flip-flop until it’s too late – putting themselves, their passengers and other drivers at risk every time they get in the car.”

TOP 5 SUMMER FOOTWEAR BRITS STRUGGLE TO DRIVE IN:

1)  Flip-flops – 51% 2)  Bare feet – 49% 3)  Wedge heels – 38% 4)  Espadrilles – 25% 5)  Sandals – 18%

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By motoringresearch.com