Is it Illegal to Drive in Flip Flops?

Posted in Car Accidents on March 18, 2023

Driving a vehicle with flip flops on, or even barefoot, is somewhat of a rite of passage and a normal occurrence throughout the state of Georgia. But, is it actually legal to operate a vehicle while wearing flip flops? Before you hop into your vehicle to cruise around Georgia, we want you to know that the state law does not prohibit you from wearing flip flops when driving. Nor does it prevent you from operating a vehicle while barefoot. However, there are some safety concerns you should be aware of.

Driving With Flip Flops – Not Illegal

It is not uncommon to hear individuals say that it is illegal to operate a vehicle either barefoot or in flip flops. The reality is that no state, including Georgia, has laws in place forbidding drivers from operating vehicles without shoes or with flip flops on. Yes, operating while barefoot or wearing less stable footwear is discouraged, but not illegal.

However, you do not have to worry about receiving a traffic ticket based on the type of footwear you choose to drive the vehicle in.

Does Driving With Flip Flops Pose a Risk?

Every year when the weather heats up in Georgia, it can be incredibly tempting to just hop in a vehicle with flip flops or bare feet. This is especially true if you are heading out to handle some outdoor activities. However, operating a vehicle in flip flops may not be the best idea.

Unfortunately, if flip flops or other type of slide-on shoes slip off of your feet or the pedals, they could get jammed against the pedal and cause the brake or accelerator to stick. There’s no need to delve into how much chaos this could cause on the roadway around you. 

Additionally, our feet are just not as stable inside of flip flops as they are inside of regular shoes. Your feet could slip off the pedal in one direction or the other because of this lower level of stability.

One lesser thought about aspect of operating vehicles in flip flops is the difference in height between this type of footwear and regular shoes. Usually, individuals are slightly taller when they wear regular shoes, and drivers get used to a certain type of footwear when they operate their vehicles. Changing footwear, more importantly, changing the distance it takes for your foot to reach the pedals, could lead to drivers touching the brake or gas pedal at a slightly different time than they are used to. Even a difference of a quarter of an inch or less could lead to major safety issues when you operate the vehicle.

Lastly, and we do not bring this point up lightly, is foot protection in the event an accident occurs. If you get into an accident while operating your vehicle in flip flops, this leaves your feet more open to sustaining injuries during the accident as well as during the aftermath when you have to get out of the vehicle.

If you or somebody you care about sustains an injury caused by the careless or negligent actions of another driver, we encourage you to reach out to a skilled car accident attorney in Atlanta as soon as possible. An attorney can help you examine the facts of your case and work to secure compensation for your losses.