No, it is not illegal to drive barefoot in Florida. But we understand it really well why you might be asking that question. The thing is, there are a lot of people who have heard of barefoot driving as this illegal thing, which is not factually true in Florida, but it can very well be risky sometimes. How? Well, there are a lot of factors that go into making it quite a risky thing, and today, we will not only talk about the legality of barefoot driving but also how you can avoid any kind of risk or being charged for any other thing by the police. Here we go then.
Is Driving Barefoot Legal in Florida?
It definitely is. In Florida, it is quite legal to operate your car without shoes on your feet. No regulation exists that drivers should wear shoes at the time of driving has been confirmed by the Florida Highway Patrol. Consequently, if you are not wearing shoes while driving, there is no traffic officer going to stop you to issue a citation.
Still, the action may not always be the safest, even though it is legal, which is something that is quite important to remember.
Why Do People Think It’s Illegal?
The concept of driving without shoes being against the law has been circulating for a long time. There are people who think it came as a result of misunderstandings between the laws of motorcycles and cars, and there are others who may have heard about the police officers stopping the drivers and made an assumption that it was because they were driving barefoot.
Driving without shoes is still a psychological factor; it somehow feels that it is not right, as we mentally connect shoes to safety and regulations, and therefore, it is hard to shake off the feeling that barefoot driving is not the right thing to do. But if we talk from a legal standpoint, Florida law doesn’t prohibit the practice of driving barefoot.
Why Driving Barefoot Might Not Be the Safest Idea
It is still allowed, however, not wearing shoes while driving may make it more difficult for you to control your pedals. If your feet are wet or sandy, they can slip off the brake or gas pedal without you even noticing, and this can be the cause of a car crash.
Moreover, bare feet are completely exposed without any kind of defense. In case your car stops functioning by itself or there is an accident, you may injure your feet terribly if you walk on the blistering asphalt, shards, or any other kind of rubbish. Hence, they, safety professionals, the AAA, and the Florida Trooper Steve, among others, suggest a person wear shoes while driving.
It is quite an interesting fact that a shoe which is often referred to as one of the most comfortable types of footwear, that is, flip-flops, could actually become a greater threat to you than if your feet were fully exposed. The shoe can be torn off your foot or be hooked under the pedals. So, if you had to decide between walking without shoes or using flip-flops, the first option might be the safer one. However, a pair of comfortable, closed-toe shoes should always be the safest choice.
Can You Get in Trouble for Driving Barefoot?
It’s not that being barefoot is the problem. However, if you happen to lose control because you are barefoot (for example, you slip off a pedal and an accident occurs), then it is a different matter. In such a scenario, it is possible that you will be accused of committing those careless or reckless driving offenses that Florida laws regulate.
