Flip-Flops are for walking, not Vette driving :-)

[teamzr1]

A flip-flop shoe led to a March 22 crash that demolished the front end of a 50th Anniversary Corvette in a small Missouri town.

The 71-year-old driver of the 2003 Corvette told police after the crash in Eureka Old Town that she didn’t know what happened, but Captain Michael Werges believes a flip flop may have been a contributing factor in the crash that resulted in the car running into the wall of a vacant building that was formerly the site of an automotive shop.

“When we talked to her, she said she didn’t know what happened, her car just took off,” Werges said. “When she was being checked by paramedics, officers looked in the car. They noticed she didn’t have the right shoe on. Her flip-flop was stuck, wedged under the gas pedal. We’re not exactly sure how that all happened, but it was very quick.”

The driver suffered moderate injuries and had to be transported to a local hospital, where she was treated and released. Her Corvette is not drivable, according to Werges, not surprising news once you take a look at the photo of the demolished car.
Meanwhile, the building she hit suffered minor damage to a cinder block wall but is still habitable, police said.

While navigating a right turn from South Central Avenue onto Dreyer Avenue, the driver lost control of the Corvette that then jumped the curb near the Shelter Insurance building at 207 South Central Avenue and slammed into the side of the building at 12 Dreyer Avenue.
“Luckily, there were no severe injuries,” Werges said of the crash, which happened around 3:30 p.m. “Central (Avenue) is right there, and that’s a really busy time of day.”

 

[Roscobbc]

Why is it that even during winter months (OK so it isn't sub-zero here in the UK and there's no snow/ice on the ground) do we see blokes going to the garage to get fuel or some groceries wearing just T Shirts, shorts and, amazingly flip-flops. And it ain't just a quick trip to get gas.....I'll see them out in the town centre around the shops dressed the same way. Perhaps there's a kinda excuse if their legs, arms and neck are all seriously 'inked-up. I mean, they'll spend some heavy money on all those tattoo's so they'll want all the geezers 'n' gals to see their artwork, right?......but wearing flip-flops and driving a car.......its a dodgy thing to do isn't it? - mind you come summer time many of the AH's riding motor bikes and scooter wear them too........

 

[Forrest Gump]

In many Asian countries, flip-flops are the absolute normal footwear for driving, or sometimes barefoot is seen.
I've heard of a very successful racing driver years ago, who preferred to drive barefoot particularly in wet conditions where his feel of the pedals was better. That wouldn’t be permitted in racing these days though.

 

[Chuffer]

Many years ago ace rally driver Paddy Hopkirk was quoted as saying the best way to drive a car was bare footed for maximum feel and car control .

 

[Roscobbc]

In many Asian countries, flip-flops are the absolute normal footwear for driving, or sometimes barefoot is seen.
I've heard of a very successful racing driver years ago, who preferred to drive barefoot particularly in wet conditions where his feel of the pedals was better. That wouldn’t be permitted in racing these days though.

I do recall as an apprentice and early Vespa rider buying a moccasin 'kit' from the local camping shop. All pre-cut and punched leather, supplied wth long leather laces you'd turn into footwear.......but no sole or heel as such, just the thick leather base (have a pair today, but with moulded soles used as slippers or indoor use) - thing was my apprenticeship was as a toolmaker in an engineering works, lots of heavy equipment, lumps of metal, swarf, oil, coolant........health and safety wouldn't allow today.
I know driving with minimal weight footwear does allow a greater 'delicacy' of control in a car with a 'tactile pedal arrangement - I could imagine driving a competition mark 1 or 2 Escort or perhaps Lotus of some description would be great wearing minimalist lightweight footwear.......my '68 Vette doesn't feature power brakes........driving with a pair of heavy duty hobnail boots would help with that required 'finesse'!

 

[Invetterate]

Bare feet are one thing [or two , I suppose], but flip flops are downright bloody dangerous as evidenced by the person in the news item.

Here is the official UK position:
"Rule 97 of the Highway Code states that the footwear and clothing that you choose to wear whilst driving must not prevent you from using the controls in the correct manner.

Wearing flip flops whilst driving can certainly be seen as an infringement of this rule, as your feet can slip and slide whilst wearing them.

What this means is that you can get in trouble from the law if you’re in an accident and the police see that you’re wearing flip flops to drive. You are liable for a charge cited as ‘driving without due care and attention’. This charge can result in a £100 on-the-spot fine, as well as three penalty points on your licence.

If this charge were taken to court, you could face a maximum fine of £5,000, nine penalty points on your licence, as well as a potential driving ban"

 

[teamzr1]

Sounds like far easier and less costly in the UK as what can be worn

Here in the USA, most race types require everything worn has to be made with Nomex Or Proban (fireproof)
Proban is cheaper in cost but since in washing it degrades means rules say cannot be used as many times Nomex can

That includes socks, underwear, gloves, racesuit, etc and must have a label proving it meets the standards and even a date code
Helmet must be full faced, neck brace and arm restraints
Shoes used also have rules with Nomex and special soles of shoes
Notice how pointy fronts of shoes are

My racing gear

 

[Roscobbc]

A story about inappropriate footwear.
Many years ago an ex-brother in law owned a Triumph GT6. Those who 'know' will also be aware that it is a fastback coupe version of Triumph's Spitfire - but with a 1600 or 2000 cc 6 banger engine instead of the smaller 4 banger lump.
The Spitfire itself was known back in 'the day' as a hairdressers car. Not commenting on that except to say the cabin size and controls, especially the pedals were best suited to someone of a more deminutive size (especially feet).
Back then the fashion for guys and gals was platform boots, the 'platform' part of the footwear being quite thick and a little cumbersome, especially driving a car.
Brother in law was reversing in his GT6 towards our garage. About 40 feet away his right foot got jammed on the throttle pedal and under the brake and clutch pedals (as he twisted his body to one side to look out of the driver's side window). The sight of him totally out of control reversing back on full gas with the rear wheels spinning-up and doing a smoky burnout with idiot brother in law desperately trying to release his jammed platform boot was hilarious......he eventually did release his trapped boot...about six inches away from the pristine garage door!