Flip without the flop
Flip flops are more dangerous to drive in than heels according to new research. A third of motorists (33 per cent) wear this flimsiest of footwear behind the wheel and confessions by drivers now indicate they could be responsible for up to 1.4 million near misses or road accidents each year.
Now, a new design concept tackling the dangers of flip flop driving has been launched. The innovative design commissioned by Sheilas’ Wheels follows a simulator study by the company which found that driving in flip flops slows braking time by 0.13 seconds – the equivalent of travelling three and a half metres further at 60mph compared to driving in more sensible shoes.
According to the study’s research, flip flops not only impair motorists’ movement between the brake and accelerator pedals by up to 0.1 seconds, but also reduce the driver’s braking force by three per cent compared to safer shoes - the equivalent to travelling four metres further at 60mph.
The new safety accessory from Sheilas’ Wheels tucks easily into a glovebox and securely customises any flip flop providing extra foot support around the heel while offering added stability on the pedals. The ‘flip-cessory’ can also be scrunched up to fit inside a handbag or pocket.
The design and simulator findings follow a poll of British motorists which found that over half (59 per cent) drive in unsuitable footwear while one in five (20 per cent) continue to wear shoes that they have had a near miss or accident in. A worrying one in four motorists (24 per cent) have got their shoe stuck under a pedal whilst driving – a wardrobe malfunction that can have disastrous consequences.
Over a third of drivers (38 per cent) admit driving in flip flops is a nightmare while 27 per cent have had a mishap behind the wheel whilst wearing them. One in ten (11 per cent) admit their flip flops have become stuck under a pedal and seven per cent blame them for a past near miss or accident on the roads.
Top five summer footwear Brits struggle to drive in:
1. Flip flops (51 per cent)
2. Bare feet (49 per cent)
3. Wedge heels (38 per cent)
4. Espadrilles (25 per cent)
5. Sandals (18 per cent)
One in five drivers (20 per cent) said they had never even considered that their footwear might affect their safety behind the wheel. Just 14 per cent have chosen not to drive due to concerns about their footwear with 36 per cent of safety-conscious women carrying a pair of driving shoes in the car – compared to just 12 per cent of men.
Over half of motorists (53 per cent) called for further guidelines and advice on the impacts of driving in different footwear to be made available as a quarter (26 per cent) admit to choosing style over safety, picking out their footwear based on whether it goes with their outfit. A further one in ten women (10 per cent) reveals that they have even worn shoes behind the wheel that they have struggled to walk in.
Jacky Brown, at Sheilas’ Wheels car insurance, said: “It’s worrying that so many drivers out there do not realise the impact their footwear choices can have on their safety at the wheel. Millions may think they can drive safely but may not realise the shortcomings of the flip-flop until it’s too late - putting themselves, their passengers and other drivers at risk every time they get in the car.
"Our Sheilas’ shoe design could provide drivers with the ultimate fashion accessory for the car and handbag this summer – allowing women to be both stylish and safe whilst driving.”
