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Question of the week

Q: Sometimes I drive my boyfriend's car home if he's had too much to drink when we go out. If I'm wearing high heels I take them off but a friend of mine said it is illegal to drive barefoot. Is that true?

A: No. It's perfectly legal to drive barefoot but I wouldn't recommend it because the increased sensitivity underfoot could mess up your braking. For example, if a piece of grit got caught on your foot it could hurt you when you pressed the brake and you might involuntarily come off the pedal at a critical moment. You may also find it more difficult to press hard on the pedal without shoes. Flat, thin-soled shoes are best for driving. Maybe you could leave a pair of driving shoes in your boyfriend's car next time you go out on the town. Or you can buy shoes with detachable high heels from the car insurance company Sheila's Wheels. The Highway Code simply says footwear should not interfere with the operation of the controls of the vehicle, so if you find yourself unavoidably wearing unsafe shoes, barefoot would be better. Just make sure you shake out your floor mat before you set off. Shoes you should avoid driving in include: sandals because the pedal can get caught between your toes and the sole; shoes with no back to them which can slip down your foot; flip-flop-style shoes which can bend back on themselves; very wide shoes that can press two pedals at the same time; thick soled shoes which make it difficult to sense the amount of pedal pressure you are applying; and high heels which restrict foot movement and can get caught on the mat.