There’s a lot of nonsense talked about the risk of fines for driving in summer footwear like sandals or flip-flops – to say nothing of long floaty summer dresses, baggy jeans and even sunglasses…
I recently saw an article that was scaremongering about the wearing of such items and I wasn’t quite sure what they were trying to achieve – are the so-called ‘experts’ suggesting that the only way to avoid points and hefty fines is to drive naked?
Wearing certain items of clothing is not an offence! It’s really just about common sense because what you do need to be careful about is wearing anything that can get tangled in your foot pedals – or sunglasses/headwear which means you can’t see clearly.
Let’s look at some specifics:
Footwear: shoes with a sole of more than 10mm deep are classed as ‘unsafe to drive in’ by the RAC but equally should not be too thin, potential danger but not actually illegal. No one seems to know quite where this arbitrary measurement came from and it certainly isn’t backed by any scientific evidence.
The issue is really whether you can maintain control: will flip-flops slip off your feet (or the pedals) meaning you will lose control? The same applies with high heels or chunky soled boots – wearing them to drive is not an offence, the question is, ‘can you control the vehicle while wearing them?
Sunglasses: if you cannot see the road ahead you are committing an offence under Section 41D(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Sunglasses will obviously help you to see in bright sunshine but maybe less helpful if you’re still wearing them when skies become dull – it’s important to stay aware of light levels and remove sunglasses when not needed. You also need to be wary of any ‘trendy’ glasses with thick, heavy frames if they impede your vision.
Remember, if you have an accident, the wearing of any of these items could be seen as ‘contributory factors.’
They could be used in evidence and lead to you being convicted of driving without due care and attention (sometimes called careless driving).
Depending on the level of seriousness, you could then be facing penalties of 3 – 9 points on your licence and an unlimited fine. You could also face disqualification, although this is discretionary.
Worse still, the charge might be dangerous driving – a much more serious offence which can carry penalties of up to two years imprisonment and 12 months disqualification with an extended re-test – along with unlimited fines.
For advice on ensuring your drivers understand the law and the consequences of breaking it, talk to our experts at Auriga Fleet. Our services include a range of online training to give your drivers the facts about driving offences which could play a major part in keeping them – and other road users – safe.