Is it Illegal to Drive Your New Mazda 3 in High Heels?
The new Mazda 3 is an excellent car to drive around town, but many people are confused about the rules surrounding the types of footwear that can be worn when driving. In fact, as far as we can tell there appears to be no specific legislation related to any road law that categorically states that you cannot drive in heel boots or shoes. However, common sense does tell us that driving in this footwear may be a bad choice for a number of reasons.
Pedal Operation
The height of the heel on the shoe that you’re wearing will force your foot into an increasingly acute angle. This will prevent your foot from being able to operate the pedals on your effectively. It’s essential to be as comfortable as possible when driving so that you can maximise your attention on the road ahead. As we have seen, there is no implicit law to prevent the wearing of high heels, but it is illegal to in all states and territories to not maintain control of your vehicle in a secure and safe manner. When choosing footwear to drive in, ask yourself a simple question “Will I be able to slam the brakes on to avoid hitting a child that runs into the road in front of me?”
Foot Injuries
During a collision, the types of clothing and footwear that you choose could have a major impact on how extensively you’re injured. An impact at the base of the foot could drive a heel into the foot and cause devastating damage. Vehicular collisions often happen at high speeds and the forces involved can become focused on a narrow point. In this case that would be a high heel and this force could easily be avoided with a flatter shoe.
Taking Control
All expert drivers advise against driving in high heeled footwear because it will reduce the amount of control the driver has in an emergency. An emergency is an unpredictable event that often happens too quickly to think. You may have to move very fast and confidently to avoid a collision with another vehicle or pedestrian. A stiletto heel has a very small and extremely unstable point of contact with the floor of a car. The heel is not a good balancing point, and during an emergency, it could easily slip or break. This will add vital seconds to your reaction time and impair your ability to avoid a potential collision.
In Summary
You may not be technically breaking any law wearing high heels, but they will be a liability in an emergency. Have a pair of driving shoes in your car footwell and change into them before setting off. This only takes a moment, and it could make all the difference in an emergency situation.
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