Transport for NSW has triggered a fierce online argument after publicly warning motorists about the safety and legality of driving barefoot.
The agency posted on Facebook under the headline “WARNING: Dogs out,” with a photo showing a driver’s bare feet on a car’s pedals.
Although Transport for NSW acknowledged there is no road rule that specifically prohibits barefoot driving, it said drivers are still required to keep “proper control” of their vehicle at all times. It also warned that if being barefoot affects safe driving, you can “technically be fined”.
“With mild, sunny weather in parts of the state this week, it’s a timely reminder to maintain proper control of your vehicle while driving,” a Transport for NSW Spokesperson told news.com.au.
The post quickly drew a wave of responses from drivers insisting that losing their shoes actually helps them behind the wheel.
One woman said she had been driving barefoot for years and had even completed her practical driving test with no shoes on. She said she always drives barefoot because she feels more in control and can sense the pedals better, describing ordinary shoes as too “clumsy and unnatural”.
Another commenter said they also feel they have better control with bare feet than while wearing shoes.
A third person argued that bare feet grip the pedals better than most normal footwear, apart from certain non-slip shoes.
Some commenters even cited professional race car drivers in support of barefoot driving. One said driving without shoes gives a better feel and argued that this is why professional race car drivers wear shoes with incredibly thin soles.
Professional race car drivers do wear shoes with very thin soles to maximise pedal feel and sensory feedback. The design removes the shock absorption found in standard footwear, helping drivers feel the pedals’ resistance, vibration and exact position more clearly.
Others said barefoot driving was safer than the light footwear many Australians wear in warmer weather.
“I drive barefoot sometimes, when I am wearing high heels or thongs and don’t feel safe wearing them driving,” one user told news.com.au.
“I feel more comfortable with my shoes off and actually feel safer without the chunky barrier in my way. I feel like there are bigger road risks we need to focus on before we start policing my toes,” another woman told us.
But podiatrist and City Feet Clinic founder Dr Kate Edwards said driving barefoot may pose risks.
“From a safety perspective, if you had to forcefully slam on the brakes, some people might have sensitivity when barefoot, especially if you hit the brakes at funny angle,” she said.
“It could really hurt your foot and make it harder to brake.”
Transport for NSW is continuing to urge motorists to think twice before driving without shoes. The agency says it is safer to wear comfortable, enclosed footwear to protect feet in a crash, and advised drivers to wait until they are done on the road before they “free the dogs”.
Across Australia, no state or territory explicitly bans barefoot driving under current road rules. However, police can still fine drivers if their footwear, or lack of it, is believed to have contributed to a crash or stopped them from properly controlling the vehicle. Those fines can exceed $400.
