Driving in heels? Don’t even think about it!
Next time you’re thinking about driving in high heels, remember that your shoes affect your driving ability, as well as being really uncomfortable!
Driving involves the constant use of pedals, which can take its toll on your feet and ankles.
By wearing the right shoes, you can not only ensure that your feet feel relaxed, but also be sure that you have better control of the car. Allowing you to have much better clutch control, braking and acceleration.
Nthabiseng Moloi, head of marketing at MiWay insurance, said: “Ladies, forget about the high heels; they look great in social settings, but they’re probably the worst possible choice for driving.”
How do you know which shoe is the best for driving?
The sole of the shoe is very important in determining what type of footwear to use. The sole shouldn’t be too thick, and should have enough grip on the pedal to avoid slipping.
With thick soles, your feet can’t feel the pedals properly, so you can’t accurately judge how much pressure to apply, which will make your braking and accelerating more abrupt and jerky.
It is also wise to avoid shoes that have really wide soles. Wearing shoes like this, you might run the risk of pressing two pedals at once. Basically the important things are: being able to feel the pedals and being able to accurately gauge how much pressure to apply.
So should you drive in high heels or platform shoes, or just drive barefoot?
Female drivers are warned about the risks of driving with high heels, which go well beyond the possibility of damaging the precious shoes and can include causing an accident.
These are some of the main reasons why you should think twice before driving in high heels:
The heel of your foot needs to be on the floor to achieve the correct pedal action: high heels elevate it and distort the ability to measure how much pressure needs to be applied.
High heels result in a reduced grip on the pedals from an awkward driving position.
The heel might get caught in the floor mat or stuck under the pedal, resulting in you losing control of your vehicle. Even if it’s only for a few seconds, the added distraction of having to get your foot free could easily result in an accident.
Platform wedges are more dangerous than high heels – they deliver a double whammy of high heels and thick soles.
If you do wear heels and drive, it’s a good idea to keep a spare pair of ‘sensible shoes’ in the car. Just kick off the fancy footwear and slip on your tekkies for the trip.
So what about just taking off your high heels or platforms and just going barefoot? It may not be illegal, but there are also risks associated with driving barefoot.
Some of these include:
Repeated use of the clutch can cause cramp or spasms in the foot, reducing control of the vehicle.
Bare feet may become slippery from perspiration.
Nylon socks or tights can reduce grip between feet and pedals.
They make it difficult for drivers to apply full braking, releasing the clutch brake or accelerator.
While South African law doesn’t have any restrictions on footwear for driving, it is in your best interests to minimise any hazards that could compromise your car control.
That means sensible shoes, however unglamorous, are your best bet behind the wheel!
Source: IOL