The Festive Footwear Trap

This winter season, many Brits will be changing their footwear habits. Whether it’s the high heel partygoer donning stilettos for a festive bash, the welly warrior bracing against muddy walks, the cosy slipper driver nipping to the shop whilst indulging in warmth and ease - our choices of shoes are as varied as the holiday calendar. 

However, temporary car insurance expert Claire Wills-McKissick from Tempcover warns that these casual footwear swaps can make a big difference to your driving, putting motorists in jeopardy of fines, safety issues, and invalidated insurance.

Footwear faux-pas

Wearing unsafe shoes whilst driving can lead to a hefty fine of up to £5,000 and up to 9 points on your licence for breaking Highway Code Rule 97. This rule says that you should ensure your ‘clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner’, and means that any breach is against the law. 

• The high heel partygoer - When heading to a Christmas party, you might be tempted to wear your heels on the drive there. While there is no specific UK law that bans driving in high heels, any heel, no matter the height, can slip, get caught, and affect your ability to apply the right amount of pressure to the pedals. If this causes an accident, you can be charged with careless driving which is an on-the-spot lead to a £100 fine and/or 3 penalty points. 
• The cosy slipper driver - Many people think that slipping into soft, comfortable indoor shoes for a short drive is fine. However, this type of footwear is low in grip, loose fitting, and generally unstable - all factors that could compromise control over the pedals. Alongside the fines mentioned above, if you’re involved in an at-fault accident, your insurer could legally deem your footwear a contributing factor to the careless driving offence, which could lead to your policy being invalidated or your claim being rejected.
• The Welly Warrior - It can be an oversight to assume driving in wellies or large walking boots is safe. Even a flat, hard-soled variety poses a risk; additional mud or leaves from walking can make the sole slippery on the pedals. Furthermore, if you find yourself uncomfortable, for example if there is a stone in the boot, the resulting fidgeting can lead you to lose concentration. This can cause a £100 fine on the spot or up to £5,000 in more serious cases where you might go to court. 

Claire says, “Many of us don’t think twice about what we’re wearing when we get in the car, but it can cause unsafe, careless driving. Even if it’s just a short drive, make sure that you think carefully about what you wear. If you suspect your footwear is unsafe, consider alternatives. You could change into safe driving shoes that allow for good grip and let you feel the pedals properly, or look into temporary car insurance to cover another driver with safe driving footwear for the journey.” 

Don’t let festive gear put the brakes on your holiday

Your shoes aren’t the only thing that needs a rethink this festive season - what you wear counts too. We know everyone loves a good costume but we want you to stay safe and covered. If your outfit includes an oversized Santa hat, novelty glasses or anything that covers your hands or feet, take a moment.  

The potential issue isn’t the costume itself, but the risk of it obstructing your view or interfering with the pedals/steering. If your festive costume prevents you from having full control of your vehicle, take it off until you park. A quick change of clothes is a small trade-off for avoiding penalties of up to £5,000 and invalidating your insurance.