Is it okay to drive barefoot?
3 Answers
Driving barefoot is considered a behavior that hinders safe driving. Especially in summer, when the soles of the feet are prone to sweating, stepping on the brake and accelerator barefoot can easily cause slipping, seriously affecting driving safety. Although there is no explicit national law prohibiting driving barefoot, regional implementation measures in places like Zhejiang and Nanjing have added regulations prohibiting driving barefoot, wearing slippers, or high heels. In fact, driving barefoot is also prone to causing accidents. Although when driving barefoot, the flexibility of the toes is higher than that of the ankles, meaning barefoot driving allows for more precise control of the accelerator, long-term use of the toes to control the accelerator can easily lead to foot cramps, with unimaginable consequences. Moreover, in summer, the soles of the feet are prone to sweating, making the pedals slippery, which is also unfavorable. Compared to driving with flat shoes, barefoot driving does not offer any advantages. However, when compared to driving with slippers or high heels, it is a better choice. Overall, driving barefoot is safer than driving with slippers or high heels. Therefore, if you must drive barefoot, please remove your slippers or high heels and place them somewhere other than the driver's seat to prevent them from rolling under the accelerator or brake pedals. According to the regulations in some regional implementation measures, drivers are not allowed to drive motor vehicles in high heels, otherwise, they will be warned and fined 50 yuan. If an accident is caused, a fine of 200 yuan will be imposed. Drivers who fail to maintain a safe distance and drive motor vehicles in high heels will bear full responsibility for the accident.
I don't recommend driving barefoot mainly for safety reasons. In many countries like the US, there's no explicit legal prohibition, but that doesn't mean it's advisable. In practice, bare feet can significantly increase the risk of slipping, especially when suddenly braking or accelerating - foot sweat makes pedals less secure. Having driven for years, I've witnessed several similar accidents, all occurring in rainy or hot weather when barefoot drivers nearly caused crashes due to pedal slippage. I strongly advise always wearing well-fitted flat shoes like cloth shoes or driving shoes to ensure stable pedal control. If you must drive barefoot (e.g., when shoes are wet), reduce speed and proceed cautiously to a safe spot to change. Driving safety should always come first - don't risk it for temporary convenience. Regular inspection of the vehicle's footwell area is also crucial.
To be honest, I've tried driving barefoot once or twice, and it really felt unreliable. Despite what you might read online about it being legal in some places, like Australia where there aren't specific regulations, the safety issues are obvious. If your foot slips on the pedal, throttle response can lag, and it's especially nerve-wracking during emergency lane changes. I learned my lesson after nearly rear-ending someone that one time. Wear proper shoes for driving, like lightweight sneakers—avoid high heels or flip-flops. Remember, safety isn't just about regulations; it's a habit. If you're really curious, try it in an empty lot first. For routine car maintenance, checking pedal wear is also a good practice to prevent accidents.
