7 items of clothing that could get you £ 5,000 fine and a driving ban Brighton News

You could end up with a £ 100 fine on the spot and three point reckless driving penalty if you wear inappropriate clothing that prevents you from maneuvering properly.

If the incident goes to court, the penalty could go up to a fine of £ 5,000, nine penalty points and even a driving ban.

Highway Rule 97 states, “The clothes and shoes you choose to wear while driving should not prevent you from using the controls properly.”

Here are seven common clothes we’ve all worn while driving that could be restricting your time behind the wheel.

1. A skirt or a long dress

Maxi dresses and skirts are all the rage, but when it comes to wearing this type of clothing while driving, you could face a fine and even penalty points on your license. Material could get caught under the pedals or restrict your use, which is obviously less than ideal.

2. Very loose jeans

For the same reason as above, if your jeans are too loose they may not be suitable for driving, which means you could be penalized. It’s been thirty-one years since Madness released its hit, so baggy pants could fair be beyond their peak.

3. Flip-flops / sliders

Thousands of motorists get behind the wheel every year with their flip flops and sliders when the sun hits, but how safe are they? Shoes with thin soles, less than 10mm thick, are considered dangerous to drive. Remember, flip-flops are for the beach, not for the driver’s seat.

4. High heels

Your shoes should not restrict the movement of your ankle. Alastair Grier, Managing Director of CarMoney, says: “If you plan to drive somewhere where the dress code is smart, we recommend that you change shoes suitable for the car trip.” According to the RAC, 40% of women admitted to driving in high heels. While they may look stylish, high heels just aren’t pedal-friendly.

5. Slippers

If your slippers are open-backed, chances are they are not safe to ride as your feet may slip when using the pedals. Alastair continued, “If your shoes don’t provide enough grip to keep your foot from slipping off the pedals, then they’re classified as dangerous.” Wearing slippers outside the house is highly questionable anyway, so it’s best to keep them there.

6. Thick boots

Although at first glance they look fine, any fans of Dr Marten boots or construction workers with chunky-soled boots should reconsider riding with them. “Shoes when riding should be narrow enough that they cannot accidentally touch two pedals at once,” said Alastair. Dr Martens may look great during a photoshoot, but it’s not that convenient for a short drive.

7. Sunglasses

According to the AA, depending on the lens of your sunglasses, they might actually be too dark to fit safely. Your peripheral vision can also be affected by wearing sunglasses while driving due to the frames blocking your vision. Sun visors were invented for the sole purpose of allowing you to see the road clearly on a sunny day, so it is best to use them when needed.

Alastair Grier, Managing Director of CarMoney, says: “The price of your auto insurance will also increase dramatically if you are involved in a car accident and were behind the wheel in inappropriate clothing that has forced you to drive carelessly.”

Alastair shares three things to remember to stay safe on the road:

• Always keep a pair of practical shoes on hand so that you can drive safely.
• Have a change of clothes if your current outfit falls into one of our seven categories.
• Use your common sense: if what you’re wearing makes your driving uncomfortable, it’s probably a sign that you should switch to something more practical.

It’s also important to note that these are just seven examples of clothing items that may interfere with driving, but the list is not exhaustive. If in doubt, change it.