For all those Brits who’re looking to make flip flops a part of their wardrobe this Summer, it turns out, they may have to think again.
According to a rule, if anyone involved in an accident in the UK is found to be wearing flip flops, they would face a fine of up to $6,250 (£5,000).
Driving in flip flops isn’t banned but the footwear could lead you to a careless driving charge as it can hamper your safe driving.
The drivers in Britain must have “footwear and clothing which does not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner,” as per rule 97 of the Highway Code.
Flip flops could prevent you from applying brakes quickly in an emergency, slip off or become wedged beneath pedals, causing you to lose control of the vehicle.
In case you’re stopped by cops for driving badly and your flip flops turned out to be the reason behind it, you could be charged with careless driving – a felony carrying three penalty points on your license.
In a serious case, such as an accident, you can face a fine as high as $6,250 (£5,000) in addition to a court-imposed driving ban and nine penalty points on your license.
As of now, at least 27% of British motorists are at risk of getting a penalty due to wearing flip flops while driving, insurance firm Ingenie found in a study.
Surprisingly, 33% of the participants thought that wearing flip flops behind wheels was illegal.
“It’s promising that almost a third of drivers assume driving in flip flops is illegal, because it’s really dangerous,” CEO Ingenie Selim Cavanagh said.
“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.”
Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Research at IAM RoadSmart, told 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.”