In many ways, driving is like riding a bike: Once you get past your initial fear, it’s a skill you won’t soon forget. It’s also not something you do while wearing high heels.
Yes, even after years and years of driving with no accidents, you can still cause trouble by wearing the wrong shoes. This is something called “pedal error,” and it’s the cause of 16,000 crashes every year in the United States.
The numbers don’t stop there. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 18% of pedal error crashes occurred when the driver was less than 20 years old, and plummeted to 9% for drivers between 20-24, and 8% for 25-29 year olds.
For drivers aged between 30 and 64, these numbers hover between 4 and 6%, with a spike in data for drivers aged 65 and older.
The data also notes that women make up two-thirds of pedal error crashes, despite making up less than half of all crashes. The NHTSA says this is likely due to disproportional height, but we shouldn’t rule out the potential of shoe-related mishaps.
With all that in mind, here are the shoes you should 100% avoid wearing while you’re behind the wheel.
Flip-Flops & Mules
Despite their comfort, these shoes come on and off too easily for a safe driving experience. Their lack of grip may cause you to accidentally slip off the pedal or even get stuck behind the pedal, which can cause interference. The same goes for slippers or other soft-soled house shoes.
High Heels
Think about how crucial your heel stability is in terms of driving. You’re probably resting your heel on the floor of the car, pivoting between the accelerator and the brake. The instability of pivoting on a heel will not only tire your leg out but can also slow your reaction time, potentially leading to accidents.
Wedges & Platforms
Opposite to no sole or thin sole, you can have too much sole! Wedges, platforms, or large boots prevent you from feeling how hard you’re pushing on the pedals, or even where the pedals are. This can lead to another type of pedal error, where you accidentally hit the brake instead of the accelerator, or vice versa.
New Shoes
We totally want to sport your new kicks, but the slippery new shoe veneer can do more harm than good. You’re probably going to be uncomfortable in new shoes, so regardless, it’s best to avoid wearing a shoe that’s not broken in yet.
No Shoes
If a driver's ed teacher, parent, or other trusted adult hasn’t said this before, let us be the first to say: do not operate a motor vehicle with bare feet. Aside from it being unhygienic, your feet are more prone to getting sweaty, and offer less consistent pressure than a standard shoe sole. This can ultimately cause you to slip off the pedal, mess up your perfect pivot technique, and slow your reaction time.
Shoes To Wear Instead
- Tennis or running shoes
- Shoes with a rubbery sole
- Light shoes with a thin, but stable, sole
- Shoes or boots with a small heel
