Not a particularly important question, I realize. And no, I haven’t received a ticket for it.
I live in Texas. (specifically, Houston) I can’t recall where or even when, but I’ve heard that it is illegal to drive “shoeless” (ie:with bare feet).:dubious: Any of the teeming millions out there have any knowledge upon the subject?
Back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth and Usenet was still a thriving part of online life, Jason Heimbaugh researched this question on behalf of the newsgroup alt.folklore.urban. His conclusion: driving barefoot is legal anywhere in the United States. Here’s a summary of what he found out.
This has been discussed many times and every year on these boards. Yes you can drive barefoot.
In fact, I feel I have better control when driving barefoot; a slippery sole cannot slip off a pedal, nor an oversize boot cause me to hit two pedals at once (which has happened).
Barefoot driving is legal in the US.
I’d often drive with my left shoe off when I was driving a manual–felt like I had much better control over the clutch that way.
Well, I guess I need to stay off the roads then. 
My brother in law was ticketed for it in the 50’s on Presque Isle in Pennsylvania. Current Huston law?
What is this “clutch” of which you write? 
I think he uses a small purse as a footrest.
Only if someone is driving you.
I have a friend who is a police officer. He said you REALLY don’t want to drive barefoot. Any car accident involves broken glass and sharp pieces of metal. You don’t want to crawl or walk over either of those things when you’re trying to get out of your car.
My sincere apologies for not, “doing my homework”.
I feel properly chastised. :smack:
Nightfall1 brings up an excellent reason for not driving barefoot!
I’m curious about this, and not doubting your word. Barb and I used to be friends with a guy who was convicted in a New York State town justice’s court of having sex with his girlfriend (both being of age and consenting) in other than the missionary position, so it’s not impossible it happened even if it was legal under PA state law. Can you get any details? Local ordinance? Reduced charge?
I think it was last season’s “Canada’s Worst Driver” where the instructors told a woman that she should wear proper flat shoes for driving, not the stilettos she was always wearing. I don’t think it was a legal thing but a “drive without hitting other cars and people” thing - high-heeled shoes get in the way of working the pedals properly.
It seemed sort of relevant here. 
In Switzerland, and probably other European countries, U.S. and Canada, it is illegal to drive with ski boots on (wonder why :))
The only thing you need to be aware of is making sure you don’t leave your disembodied shoe on the floor of the driver’s side. If it slides underneath the brake pedal, things could go south very quickly.
Noob? Crikey! You’r a 99er. That’s only one step below the First Ones: The Revered AOLers. [bowing head as I write that name]
Sorry I was a kid then. I believe the area is a state park. It has extensive beaches on Lake Erie, a favorite playground. As a kid, that was where my family spent their vacations.
I dont have a link to the relevant rcw (Washington state laws) but I believe its illegal to drive in flip flops or other shoes with no heel or heel strap as they can fall off.
I prefer driving barefoot but keep sandals handy so I dont know why I would be running around barefoot at the scene of a crash under most situations.