Why is driving barefoot considered dangerous?

[chrestomanci]

Title says it all really.

I started wondering why driving barefoot is considered dangerous. I don't think there is much chance of your foot slipping from the pedal at a crucial moment, and most cars don't have anything sharp in the footwell that could distract you, so why is it dangerous?

If anything I would have thought you would have more controll, as you would feel the feedback through the pedals better, especially the brake pedal.

[SilentDeath]

You do have more control, and your 100% right...

The reson is some idiots are worried about your feet when they get crushed and removed from your legs... if you happen to have a head on collision which will probably kill you anyway..

I tryed it a few times, when my shoes were painfull (after a days work standing on them) but I dont regualy do it.. becuase i forget when i get out...

[Howard]

It bloody hurts that's why

[Butcher]

I think the main reason is if there's anything sharp on the brake pedal and you have to slam the brake on your leg reflex may make your foot jump off the pedal reducing brake pressure.

[SilentDeath]

Assuming you mean a stone or something?

I think a more likely reson (imo) is if people done it, somone would be stupid enough to leave there shoes in the drivers side foot area, which would then move and get stuck on/under a pedal - THAT would be dangerous and quite likely to happen if many people did it.

[badass]

I was unaware it was considered dangerous TBH
I presume its just peoiple that decide its dangerous without thinking about it. Just make sure your shoes aren't in the footwell and you won't pick up any stones with your feet

[Fabula]

Pedals are designed to be pushed by feet with shoes on. Barefeet cannot pivot on the heel and slide the pedal up and down in the way you can with shoes. It also hurts, so your feet get fatigued quickly.
If you drive barefoot, it is harder to push the pedal in an emergency stop. So it is more dangerous.

Though it may be safer than driving while wearing high-heels.

[bledd]

It bloody hurts that's why

yeah

Assuming you mean a stone or something?

I think a more likely reson (imo) is if people done it, somone would be stupid enough to leave there shoes in the drivers side foot area, which would then move and get stuck on/under a pedal - THAT would be dangerous and quite likely to happen if many people did it.

thats very final destinationy

[Nemeliza]

It bloody hurts that's why

sissy

I'm a pro when it comes to barefoot driving. I like it as i can do most things by just flicking my big toe, saves alot of effort in traffic.

[streetster]

i was told, by a doctor, that they had some pretty gruesome operations relating to people driving barefoot + pedals + accident... which im not sure would've been any less gruesome had the driver been wearing shoes, but im a shoes-on driver, and boots when in my van

[SilentDeath]

It bloody hurts that's why

either your pedals have spikes sticking out or youve never tryed it!



but if youve seen any of the test results on euroncp(sp?) site then you will see its quite common for the pedals to move in a crash.
Doesnt really help that the engine is usually on the drivers side either.

[awm]

I personally like to drive sockfoot, especially in the summer, if not I need to choose between hot feet and the risk of sandals getting caught on the pedal. In the winter it really is too cold in the car not to wear shoes.

[Howard]

either your pedals have spikes sticking out or youve never tryed it!

Yeah I have tried it, my car has pretty heavy pedals.. You can't really moan because you haven't driven my car

[IBM]

I personally like to drive sockfoot

That's not even a word!

I wouldn't get in the car with my wife unless I know she's removed the four inch heels/wedges she regularly wears...

You think driving barefoot is more dangerous than driving wearing this...

[5lab]

i nearly always drive without shoes on - whether barefoot or sockfoot depends on the length of the journey - i'm a tall lad, and its the only way i can get my feet into a comfortable position for long distances - you do get more control with barefoot as you can feel the pedals better, and it can stop pedal interfierance issues - i had a polo for a short while and my shoe (size 14s) wouldnt fit between the accellerator pedal and the clutch, thus meaning i couldnt actuate the brake properly (had to use my foot sideways. wtf?)

the shoes under pedals is a fairly good argument - mine are always firmly wedged under my seat. as for not sliding the shoes over the pedal - my shoes cant do this either, as they feature something called grip. my feet can cirtainly pivot at the heel though, i've got a handy device installed called an ankle that lets it happen


i'm not convinced it is dangerous. there are fines for 'inappropriate footware' and driving instructors dont let you do it, as you need to be able to control the car with normal footware on, but i've never heard of someone actually fined for driving barefoot. if i was i'd challenge it all the way to the top.

[Papa Lazarou]

Bought some nice driving shoes a while back. Puma Racecats - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Puma-RACE-CAT-...QQcmdZViewItem. They have very thin soles for better feedback (and easier to heal & toe in if you're into that type of thing). Just look like ordinary trainers.

Tried driving barefoot but I found it really uncomfortable.