With summer upon us, and forecasters predicting a welcome stretch of sun, life just feels a little more carefree … and that includes our clothes.
But drivers shouldn’t get too comfortable in their loose-fitting summerwear, those flip-flops and long skirts could land them on the wrong side of the law.
Here is a list of all the clothes and shoes that could lead to a £5,000 fine, points on the licence or even a road ban.
Summertime driving could open drivers up to fines and points on their licences. So it is important that they’re conscious of the kind of clothing and footwear they have on (File image)
De-layering while driving
Taking off clothes at the wheel might seem a necessary job to cool down but it could land you with a fine.
In fact, motorists could face fines of up to £5,000 for removing layers of clothing behind the wheel when it gets too warm.
If pulled over for delayering, police could slap you with a £100 on-the-spot fine and three penalty points for careless driving.
But, if the incident goes to court, the penalty for driving without due care and attention could leave motorists with fines of up to £2,500, or £5,000 in extreme cases, with motorists even issued penalty points and a possible driving ban.
The Highway Code says drivers should keep their vehicle well ventilated to avoid drowsiness and keep temperatures cool, while the clothing and footwear worn when driving must not prevent the driver from using the controls in the correct manner.
Flip flops
There are plenty of things to consider when you get behind the wheel, and the shoes you choose can be one of them (File image)
While flip flops offer comfort and convenience, they are not considered an especially good choice of footwear for drivers.
So much so, the Highway Code advises against wearing them when driving due to the risk of them sliding over the pedals, or getting stuck beneath them.
And, while wearing flip flops is not illegal, the consequences of doing so could land you with a hefty fine, if they cause your driving to become dangerous.
Rule 97 of the Highway Code states that the footwear and clothing you choose to wear must not prevent you from using the vehicle’s controls in the correct manner.
It specifically states: ‘Footwear cannot prevent you using the controls in the correct manner.’
The careless driving offence carries a £100 fine and three penalty points on your licence.
In a more serious case, or it gets contested in court, the charge can attract a maximum £5,000 fine, up to nine penalty points and even a court-imposed driving ban.
And within Rule 97 of the Highway Code, items that could prevent you from using the controls correctly include baggy jeans and long dresses which could also see you landed with a fine.
- A Long Skirt or Dress – When it comes to wearing this type of clothing while driving you could be faced with a fine and even penalty points on your license. The material could get caught underneath the pedals or restrict your use of them, which is obviously far from ideal.
- Very Baggy Jeans – If your jeans are too baggy they are likely to be unfit for driving in, meaning you could be penalised.
- High Heels – Your footwear should not limit your ankle movement. Although they may look classy, high heels are simply not practical for the pedals.
Choosing your sunglasses wisely
According to the AA, depending on the glass in a pair of shades, they could be dangerous to drive in (File image)
Drivers could be fined for not wearing sunglasses, and also fined for wearing the wrong kind of sunglasses behind the wheel.
According to the AA, depending on the glass in a pair of shades, they could be dangerous to drive in.
You can wear sunglasses while driving. It is not a legal requirement to do so in bright conditions, but you could still be considered by police to be ‘driving without due care and attention’.
It’s not clear how likely it is that you will be fined, but it is worth noting that the Highway Code says if you are dazzled by bright sunlight, you should slow down and if necessary stop.
As glare is one of the primary causes of crashes it drivers should wear sunglasses, providing they are suitable.
They should not be too dark and should not be a style that could obscure your peripheral vision, as these could also land you in trouble with the law.
The AA website states: ‘Sunglasses sold for general use can be too dark for driving in. Plus, fashion frames could obscure your peripheral vision if they aren’t the right style, so it’s best to choose your shades carefully.’
Regardless, motorists need to be mindful to drive with care and attention in all conditions.
Driving bare foot
Similar to wearing flip flops, driving barefoot is also not illegal, but is again something that is heavily advised against by driving experts.
The Driving Standards Agency state that suitable shoes are of vital importance while you’re behind the wheel.
They advise against anyone driving barefoot, because they will not have the same braking force compared to wearing shoes.
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