It is not illegal to drive a car or truck while barefoot in Texas. In fact, no state in the U.S. outlaws barefoot driving.
However, you should avoid driving without shoes on. While it’s not illegal, it’s not safe either. Wearing a shoe with a flat sole and solid traction helps you maintain control of your vehicle’s pedals. Bare feet are more likely to slip off a vehicle’s brake or accelerator pedal, leading to an error that causes a crash.
Why Shoes Are Safer Than Barefoot Driving
A driver safety education expert for the National Safety Council tells Geico that, when driving, your shoes should be securely attached to your feet and have a flat sole with good traction. You want to distribute force evenly across the sole and onto the pedals.
Bare feet do not provide this solid traction. When you’re barefoot, you cannot distribute the force of your foot evenly. You may be unable to engage the brakes effectively, especially when the anti-lock braking system (ABS) engages. Plus, if your feet get sweaty and slippery, it will affect your pedal grip and ability to pivot on your heel.
In addition to your foot slipping off of the pedals more easily, driving while barefoot runs the risk of:
- The pedals being hot on bare feet, causing you to take your foot off the pedal when you need to be pressing the brake or accelerator
- Walking on broken glass or other dangerous debris after a car accident
Legal and Liability Issues from Driving Barefoot
Police at the scene of a car accident could ticket a barefoot driver for reckless driving if they think the driver’s lack of shoes contributed to the accident. While such a charge does not seal the deal, it could be considered strong evidence of driver negligence, which is necessary to prove a personal injury claim.
If you believe this was the case in your car crash, you should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. They can help gather the necessary evidence to prove the other driver’s lack of appropriate footwear caused the collision.
Wear Proper Footwear to Avoid Car Accidents
Not only is it safer to wear shoes while driving, but some shoe styles are better for driving than others. The National Safety Council (NSC) expert consulted by Geico suggests keeping a pair of shoes in the car specifically for driving. You could store your designated driving shoes in the car and keep your other shoes out of the driver’s seat footwell, where they can get in the way. Then, switch shoes when you arrive at your destination.
Shoes to avoid when driving include:
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- Cowboy boots – The raised heel on cowboy boots could interfere with pedals when driving.
- Work boots – Large, thick boots can cause an obstruction and make it harder to feel the pedals.
- Flip-flops, mules, or Crocs – Shoes that don’t secure to the heel can slip and interfere with braking or accelerating.
- House shoes – A loose fit and malleable soles don’t provide proper traction for engaging a car’s pedals.
- Wedges – The thick soles alter your perception of the distance between the bottom of your foot and the top of the pedals, which can create a false sense of pressure applied to the brake or accelerator. Also, they’re more likely to end up sideways and get stuck under a pedal.
- High heels – It’s harder to pivot on your heel from the accelerator to the brake pedal when wearing high heels. This may cause you to hover your foot between the accelerator and brake, which not only causes fatigue but also eliminates the critical contact and pivot point needed for effective and safe reaction time.
- New dress shoes – Leather or wood soles on new shoes can be slippery, creating an unsure foot-to-pedal relationship until they are broken in.
You always want to be fully prepared to operate a vehicle when you get behind the wheel. Having proper footwear is a key part of that. Overall, be sure that your feet feel comfortable, your shoes are secured, and you can easily maneuver around the pedals. You should be able to quickly move your foot to the brake or accelerator when necessary. Having that ability may be the difference between avoiding a catastrophic collision.
Need to Discuss an Accident? Contact Our Experienced Attorneys Today
Unfortunately, drivers don’t always take the necessary precautions. When they don’t and end up causing a car crash as a result, they can be held liable for any resulting injuries. An at-fault driver could be responsible for compensating an injury victim for their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
If you get into a car accident that was someone else’s fault, report it to the police. If the other driver is barefoot, make sure the responding officer makes note of this fact. Driving barefoot is not illegal, nor does it automatically make someone responsible for a car accident, but it’s something our Dallas car accident lawyers would look into for an injured client.
At Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C., we have helped people in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area obtain compensation when they have been injured in collisions caused by negligent drivers for over 45 years. Our past clients say we provide “professional service, valued advice, and excellent communication throughout.” We’ll fight for the compensation you deserve, too. Contact us today online or at (214) 999-9999 for your free initial consultation.
