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Can I drive a car with slippers on?

When driving a car, road safety is paramount. Wearing slippers increases the risk of an accident. They can slip or, even worse, get caught under the brake. The chance of this happening is perhaps small, but you do have a greater chance of an accident. In the Netherlands, driving with slippers is not prohibited. In certain holiday countries, however. Something to take into account during a car holiday.

Driving becomes safer with good footwear

Driving a car is like riding a bicycle. With flip-flops, you are more likely to slip off the pedals. Usually it goes well, but there is a greater chance that something goes wrong. This also applies to cycling barefoot. The grip is worse compared to shoes with a good sole. Slipping off the pedals of your bicycle once can have major consequences. When driving a car, the consequences are even greater. In an attempt to put your foot back on the brake, the slipper can get caught behind the brake. What the consequences might be need to be considered.

driving with slippers

Driving with slippers is allowed, or not?

The law does not prohibit driving with slippers. However, there is something in the law that, with a little creativity, can be used to read into the driver's liability. The Road Traffic Act states:

"It is forbidden for anyone to behave in such a way as to cause or be likely to cause a hazard on the road, or to obstruct or be likely to obstruct traffic on the road".

This legal provision is unlikely to be used to make any difference to drivers wearing slippers. If the legislator wants to prohibit it, there must be a legal provision specifically for this. It is therefore legally permitted, but you can be held liable if damage is caused by your 'dangerous' actions in traffic. It remains to be seen what the judge thinks about this.

In some holiday countries, driving with flip-flops is prohibited

In France and Spain, you risk a fine. In the event of a traffic accident caused by your slippers, you will have an even bigger problem. In countries where driving with flip-flops is prohibited, it will also be easier to hold you liable for the damage caused. Avoid problems and do not drive with flip-flops on. Besides the risk of a fine and being held liable, you are also putting the health of yourself and others at risk. Read also the article "Driver wearing flip-flops is more likely to suffer damage in France or Spain".

The risk of driving with slippers on does not receive much attention in the Netherlands. This risk and the chance of an accident are nothing compared to other things. Speeding, driving with alcohol behind the wheel and using a smartphone in traffic entail a much greater risk. Still, it's best not to do it. Not even when it's tropical outside.

Figures

Research by the University of Leeds has shown that you lose an average of one tenth of a second when you go from the accelerator to the brake pedal in slippers. In addition, you have three percent less braking power when pressing the brake pedal. These two factors mean that your braking distance becomes 7.5 metres longer at a speed of 90 kilometres per hour.

Another survey of 1,000 drivers found that 27 percent have experienced problems when driving with slippers. In addition, 11 percent have been caught in a pedal and 7 percent have had an accident or near accident while wearing slippers.

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