In such hot temperatures, you don’t want to squeeze yourself into sneakers or other sturdy shoes. However, if you’re driving, you should avoid wearing flip-flops, sandals or bathing slippers, at least while driving. Because that can be dangerous: “If you’re wearing summer shoes, there’s a chance that your flip-flops might get tangled in the pedal,” says Roland Frisch, chief car instructor at the ÖAMTC driving technique. Flip-flops or bathing slippers don’t provide much grip either. “In the worst case, you slip off the pedal. This can have a decisive impact, especially when braking hard.”
You should also not drive in high heels, hiking boots or barefoot. “The ideal shoe is made of a sturdy, comfortable material, fits well on the foot and has a flat, thin and non-slip sole,” explains the expert. High heels can make it difficult to push the pedal to the floor. Hiking boots are impractical and bulky because of their size. Frisch recommends having a pair of “replacement shoes suitable for driving” in the car in summer so that you can put them on for the journey.
Legal consequences
Driving with airy shoes is not prohibited per se in Austria. However, vehicles may only be used if they can be safely controlled. If an accident occurs because the driver is not wearing appropriate shoes, there may be legal consequences – namely if other shoes might have prevented the accident.
According to the lawyers at the mobility club, such a case can also have insurance-related consequences. It is possible that the insurance company will not pay for the damage caused.
