Why is it illegal to drive barefoot?

[Evil_Captor]

I don’t personally like to drive barefoot, mind you, but it’s illegal in Georgia, which I know must piss off some folks no end. And I imagine that people who like to walk around barefoot have feet that are suitable for driving barefoot. So, what’s the rationale here? Anybody know?

In a vaguely related matter, if, as Homer Simpson maintains, Florida is America’s wang, does that make Georgia it’s soft underbelly?

[Shagnasty]

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=196810&highlight=barefoot

[Johnny_L.A]

From here:

Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware,Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming:
Barefoot Driving: Operation of a motor vehicle by a driver with bare feet is permitted.

and

                    Department of Public Safety
                       Post Office Box 1456 

Colonel Sid Miles Atlanta, Georgia 30371-2303 Wayne P. Yancey
Commissioner Director of Legal Services

                       June 27, 1994

Mr. Jason R. Heimbaugh
Route 1 Box 120
Champaign, Illinois 61821

Dear Mr. Heimbaugh:

Your letter regarding the legality of driving barefoot in Georgia has been forwarded to the Legal Services Section for reply.

There is no law in Georgia that pertains to driving an automobile without any shoes.

Sincerely,

                               Melissa J. Lunsford
                               Legal Advisor

MJL:lrs

Note that this information is 11 years old.

[PBear42]

Note that the link is more comprehensive than the the quote. California, for example, is mentioned elsewhere in the link as being in the majority (barefoot not prohibited).

[Evil_Captor]

Well, question answered, thanks very much.