Wearing the wrong shoes when you drive could leave you with a £5,000 fine, nine penalty points and a lengthy driving ban
HIGH heels could land you with big fine if you opt for the dressy footwear when sat behind the wheel.
Drivers might think they're dressing perfectly fine to commute to work, but they could find themselves in trouble with the police if it leads to an accident.
Under Rule 97 of the Highway Code, motorists are advised to wear "footwear and clothing which does not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner".
While driving in high heels isn't illegal, wearing them could lead to you being charged with careless driving if they affect your ability to drive safely.
It's similar to a ban on wearing flips flops behind the wheel which can be just as expensive if you get caught.
They're just as dangerous as heels as they come off extremely easily and can get jammed under a pedal.
Why shouldn't I drive in heels?
It can often be difficult to judge how much pressure is needed to use the brake and accelerator when driving in high heels.
the road laws you need to know
If you get it wrong it could fatally lead to an accident, and that's where you'll get in trouble.
reveals how high heels elevate the foot unnaturally, which is how you could lose full focus and control on your driver.
In some cases, they might even get caught on the carpet or under the pedals and could stop you from using the brakes in time.
How much could I be fined?
The charge carries a £100 on-the-spot fine and three penalty points on your licence if stopped by police.
And in more serious cases, or those that are contested in court, the charge can attract a maximum £5,000 fine, up to nine penalty points and even a court-imposed driving ban.
Rebecca Ashton, head of policy and research at IAM RoadSmart, previously said: "Before setting off, you need to make sure your footwear is suitable and does not prevent you from using the controls correctly.
"The problem with high heels is because of your foot position, it makes it hard to measure how much pressure you need to apply and you get little support - and your heel can get caught on the carpet/floor mat which could stop you reacting quickly.
"Even worse are platform heels and wedges as they add a very thick sole into the mix. Get used to leaving a flat comfy pair of shoes in the car which can solve the problem.
"Don’t forget for all those who are like me and love their shoes, you also damage the backs of your heels on the carpet when you drive in them.”
RAC's guidelines for suitable driving footwear
According to the RAC, there are some guidelines for what footwear is suitable when driving:
- Have a sole no thicker than 10mm, but the sole should not be too thin or soft.
- Provide enough grip to stop your foot slipping off the pedals.
- Not be too heavy.
- Not limit ankle movement.
- Be narrow enough to avoid accidentally depressing two pedals at once