Experts call for ban on wearing ‘hazardous’ stilettos while driving

Experts are calling for women drivers to put a brake on the hazardous habit of wearing ‘unsuitable’ shoes heels at the wheel.

Road safety charity Brake is appealing for high heel lovers not to drive when wearing stilettos, steep wedges or inappropriate platform shoes.
It says the current footwear fashion for the highest of heels could lead to tragedy and advised all drivers to avoid unsuitable shoes.
‘It is deeply worrying that many drivers have such little regard for their own and others’ safety that they wear unsuitable footwear,’ said deputy chief executive Julie Townsend.

‘Driving is a responsibility that needs to be taken seriously.’

Her comments coincide with a survey that found 40 per cent of women drive in high heels.
The survey commissioned by price comparison website Confused.com also found that 39 per cent of women wear flip flops whilst driving and 24 per cent take to the road in bare feet.
Sixteen per cent also confess to driving in slippers and just 34 per cent claim to always wear sensible shoes.

Men are also taking chances with 27 per cent wearing flip flops and 22 per cent going barefoot.
Eleven per cent also use slippers but 57 per cent claim they never wear unsuitable shoes.
‘Wearing inappropriate footwear could cause the driver to lose control of the car,’ said Confused.com’s head of car insurance Gareth Kloet.

‘We’d recommend keeping a pair of suitable shoes in the car to avoid any crashes. If you are wearing shoes which you would not wear for a driving test then you probably shouldn’t wear them to drive either.’
The survey also found that one in ten women apply make-up at the wheel and 15 per cent of men shave whilst driving.
‘We all live hectic lives and people often feel cocooned in their vehicles but we need to bear in mind that a lapse of concentration at the wheel can lead to needless tragedy,’ said Townsend.
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