With the hot summer weather, it’s tempting to change your shoes for driving. But what happens if you’re stopped by the police?
You don’t have to live by the sea to prefer wearing open shoes when the thermometer flirts with 30 degrees. But going out in flip-flops or slides involves certain practices that are not always suitable, such as driving a car. And it must be said, having your feet in the air when you find yourself in the furnace of a passenger compartment is still much more pleasant than wearing closed shoes. Many motorists are tempted, especially to get to the beach at the risk of turning their vehicle into a sandbox at the end of the day. But among them, few know what they are exposing themselves to by driving in flip-flops or slides, or even barefoot.
Does the Highway Code prohibit it? If we refer to article R412-6, it is stated that “every driver must be constantly in a state and position to conveniently and without delay carry out all the maneuvers incumbent upon him.” There is therefore no formal ban on driving with open shoes, such as flip-flops or slides, but the fact remains that they must not be a hindrance to driving. It is therefore all a question of interpretation.
Thus, in the event of a check, the police have the possibility of issuing a fine to a motorist if they consider that his shoes are likely to cause dangerous behavior. The 2nd class fine is 35 euros, reduced to 22 euros if paid within 15 days and increased to 75 euros after the 45-day period. However, it cannot result in points being deducted from the driving license.
But be careful, the consequences can be much more serious in the event of an accident. Driving in flip-flops or barefoot can in fact be considered an aggravating circumstance, with the risk for the driver to be prosecuted for deliberately endangering others. It is not uncommon for the police to see a vehicle lose control and crash into another because of a flip-flop that got stuck under the accelerator pedal…
And the problems may not stop there. If the driver responsible for a road accident does not wear shoes suitable for driving, his insurance company has the right to consider that he is (doubly) at fault. Thus, even if he has a fully comprehensive contract, the insurance company has the possibility of relying on article R412-6 (seen above) to decide not to compensate his insured. There, the short journey in flip-flops is very likely to turn into a huge hole in the bank account…