Driving Barefoot in Washington: Is It Legal? Many drivers, particularly those who would rather be comfortable than be limited by shoes, have thoughts on driving barefoot.
For drivers in Washington, the question still stands: Is it against the law to drive without shoes? Here’s the law and some safety tips that you should think about.
Is It Illegal to Drive Barefoot in Washington?
No, in short, it is not illegal to drive barefoot in Washington state. Washington state’s traffic laws do not say anything in particular regarding shoes and they don’t even require people to wear them when driving.
Indeed, no state in the U.S. has laws that prohibit a barefoot drive. However, the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) and other safety groups say that driving barefoot can be dangerous and that one should think about this.
Why people think barefoot driving is illegal
The false belief that driving barefoot is against the law probably comes from safety tips or myths about driving.
Lots of people think that driving barefooted would be dangerous because they would easily lose control of the car because, perhaps, sweaty or wet feet tend to slide off the pedals if they are sweaty, wet, or even sandy.
Others think it is dangerous simply because your bare feet might not press down on the brake pedal hard enough, especially if you have been accustomed to the cushioning or grip that shoes give you.
Even though these safety concerns are very true, they do not come from a law that prohibits a person from driving barefoot. Laws in Washington primarily exist to ensure that you do remain in control of your car and that you observe traffic safety measures. They don’t really have much to do with the shoes you wear.
Situations in Which Barefoot Driving May Be a Problem
Even though it is not against the law, driving barefoot could still lead to problems in some situations:
Liability for Accidents: When you drive barefoot and cause an accident, your insurance company or the police might claim that you could not control your car well because you were not wearing shoes, especially if your foot slid out from under the pedal. It may not get you a ticket for driving barefoot, but it could appear as evidence in finding out who is at fault.
Careless or Distracted Driving Ticket: Washington state’s driving laws instruct all drivers to be in control of their vehicles at all times. If barefooting makes you drive erratically, slowly to stop, or weave in your lane, you might be cited for careless or distracted driving.
This was not a citation strictly for being barefooted; it is rather an incident that could occur.
Safety and comfort concerns: driving barefoot gets somewhat painful after some time. A car’s pedals usually have a texture to them, which can make constant hitting of the pedals uncomfortable without a shoe for padding. Some drivers can even get cramp or sore feet from driving barefoot for long periods of time.
Should You Drive Barefoot?
You may need to wear shoes for safety purposes even though it is legal to drive barefoot. For instance, shoes could help one keep a foot on the pedals, prevent slipping, and give some cushioning, which all these factors make driving relatively safer and smoother.
If you want to drive comfortably without over-tight shoes, then you might want a slip-on shoe that can be easily taken off when you reach your destination.
You should also not drive barefoot in harsh weather conditions, such as heavy rain or snow, since you need to hold onto the ground and feet work quickly on the pedals.
Conclusion
In fact, although driving barefoot is legal in Washington, there are some safety issues you might want to think about. If you choose to drive without shoes, make sure your feet are clean, dry, and free of any objects which may make it difficult for you to control the pedals safely.
Finally, whether you wear shoes or not is not a matter. The thing of importance is to be alert, comfortable, and in control of your car.
