When it comes to driving, safety is obviously the most essential concern for all involved. Apart from your ability to operate the vehicle in a safe manner, you need to be sure of the condition of your car, your comfort in handling difficult on-road situations and your overall reaction time while driving. One of the important factors that influence your reaction time is your choice of footwear. Your driving shoes can hamper or enhance your ability to react to diverse road situations.
Here, you take a closer look at the importance of the “right” car shoe and their overall role in safe driving.
Driving Shoes for Women Drivers
While operating their vehicles, most women drivers choose to wear footwear that matches with their overall attire and style—rather than align with their comfort of driving. It is important to steer clear of stilettos and very high heeled shoes as they tend to put the driver at high risk. Platforms or wedged heels are best avoided too. Such shoes tend to reduce the overall grip on the pedals or get stuck under the mat. Choosing flat pumps or removing heels while driving goes a long way in ensuring higher road safety.
Dangers of Choosing the Wrong Car Shoe
Though they personify comfort and are fast becoming a natural choice for people of all ages, flip-flops are said to be the most dangerous footwear for drivers. Along with the constant fear of slipping off, this popular footwear gets jammed on the carpet or gets stuck between the pedal and your sole—thus leading to greater difficulty while releasing pedals or applying pressure.
Boots, knee-length and ankle shoes are quite restrictive with regards to free ankle movement and prove to be highly dangerous for drivers too–especially those driving on the highway. Driving barefoot is a much preferred choice for many; however, it’s always more sensible and safer to wear protective footwear. If at all you choose go barefoot, then do know that perspiration may lead to lower grip and make your feet slip. Also, over time, you will start experiencing cramps and acute pain in the balls of your feet.
Here, it’s worthwhile to mention that trainers and sneakers have proved to be nearly perfect options; with the exception of those having thick soles.
Recommended Safety Precautions
After understanding the dangers of wearing the wrong shoes while driving, it is well advised to check the levels of pressure applied by your heel while driving barefoot. Thereafter, try to apply the same pressure with the footwear that you wear normally. If you feel that it is less than required, then switch to better shoes that ensure safer driving practices.
Be safe, drive safe!
