Latest news with #LouiseThomas
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Drivers given £100 fine warning over wearing style of footwear behind the wheel
In more serious cases penalties can escalate sharply if improper footwear is deemed to have contributed to an accident — fines up to £5,000, nine points on your licence, or even a driving ban As temperatures rise and summer approaches, many drivers reach for their favourite footwear — flip-flops, Crocs or sandals — before hitting the road. But while these styles may be comfortable for the beach, experts and motoring authorities warn that wearing the wrong footgear could land drivers with a £100 fine — and potentially much harsher penalties — if they are found to have compromised safety behind the wheel. It is a common misconception that driving in flip-flops, or even barefoot, is illegal in the UK — but there is no specific law banning any footwear, or the lack of it altogether, while operating a motor vehicle. The RAC confirms that 'it is not illegal to drive in the UK without shoes on and the same applies for wearing flip flops'. However, the crucial point is whether your choice of footwear allows you to operate the vehicle's controls safely. Rule 97 of the Highway Code states that drivers must ensure their clothing and footwear do not prevent them from "using the controls in the correct manner". If police believe your footwear, or lack of it, has impaired your control of the vehicle — such as causing your foot to slip off the pedals or get caught underneath — you could be charged with 'driving without due care and attention' or 'not being in proper control of a motor vehicle'. If stopped by police or involved in an accident, drivers found to be wearing inappropriate footwear risk an on-the-spot fine of £100 and three penalty points on their licence. In more serious cases, especially if the incident goes to court, the penalties can escalate sharply: fines up to £5,000, nine penalty points and even a driving ban are possible if it's found that improper footwear contributed to a loss of control or an accident. As managing director at Jamie Barke, explains: 'While it's not explicitly illegal to drive in flip-flops or Crocs in the UK, the Highway Code Rule 97 states that drivers must wear clothing and footwear that allow them to use the vehicle controls properly. If you're found to be driving without proper control, you could be charged with careless driving,' Experts warn that flip-flops, Crocs and similar backless or loose-fitting shoes can easily slip off, get wedged under pedals, or fail to provide the grip and support needed for safe driving. The RAC recommends that suitable driving shoes should have a sole no thicker than 10mm, but not too thin or soft, provide enough grip to prevent slipping off the pedals, not be too heavy or restrict ankle movement, and be narrow enough to avoid pressing two pedals at once. Driving in flip-flops - the stats Louise Thomas, car insurance expert at said: 'While it isn't against the law to drive in certain footwear or clothes, if you get involved in an accident, you could be charged with dangerous driving. 'That's why you should always make sure your driving capability isn't impacted and that you have full control of your vehicle at all times." Louise also detailed how research by insurance experts showed that 16% of motorists had been involved in an accident or near-miss due to driving in flip-flops. In the event of a crash, insurance companies may even refuse to pay out if it's determined that inappropriate footwear contributed to the incident.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Drivers in Greater Manchester given 'important' message as they face being £1,200 out of pocket
Car drivers in Manchester are facing eye-watering insurance costs when they renew their policies, following a year of sharp price rises that are now leaving the average Mancunian driver around £1,279 out of pocket, just to get their vehicle on the road. Experts have given their top tips on getting a cheaper quote, reminding drivers of the 'important' steps to take to make sure you're not paying more than you need to be. Across the UK, insurers are charging roughly £82 less per year for each policy in the first quarter of this year, but data from has shown that drivers in the North West are still seeing price rises. The data shows that Greater Manchester has bucked the national downward trend in the price of insurance premiums, with prices rising for motorists by more than a third across the board amid the cost of living crisis. READ MORE: Martin Lewis urges 'check' as DWP could be paying millions more up to £10,000 The rise in the cost of insuring a vehicle is not the same across the region, though drivers everywhere are seeing their car insurance costs rise by between 30 and 50 per cent since 2023. Far and away the most expensive place to insure a car in Greater Manchester is the city itself, where the average insurance scheme costs drivers £1,279 - a rise of 43 per cent since last year. But, according to the price comparison data, which is based on six million car insurance quotes, not everywhere in and around Greater Manchester is quite so expensive a place to insure your vehicle. On the other end of the spectrum, motorists insuring in nearby Warrington are paying almost £400 less, although this is still an increase of 36 per cent on the year before. The figures also show that customer loyalty is not being rewarded by many insurers, with those who shop around for a new deal saving around £90 on average, while those who stick with their insurer have been slapped with a typical extra £94 when they renew. These regional and local disparities are made even worse for those who are just starting out in their driving life. The data shows that, a 22-year-old driver is now paying £667 more than they possibly were five years ago - with the average car insurance quote for a young adult hitting £1,930. Five years ago, a 17-year-old was paying £1,263, on average. Louise Thomas, motoring expert at car insurance comments, 'For the first time in a while car insurance prices have stalled slightly for most drivers, and this may come as a relief. However, prices are still incredibly high and so people can expect to see their price increase compared to the previous year. 'The important thing to remember is that you don't have to accept your renewal, especially as we know from our research that shopping around can find you a cheaper price. And on top of this, there are additional ways you can save as well. Choosing a higher voluntary excess can bring down your overall premium - but remember to only choose a price you can afford should you need to make a claim. "And if you can, paying annually will save you money too, as monthly payments can incur an interest charge. If these aren't viable options, things like increasing your security or reviewing your mileage to be more accurate could make a difference when quoting. 'Ultimately, shopping around is the only way to know you're paying the cheapest price available to you. With prices so high, it's a very competitive market. So if you look around, there's likely to be an insurer out there willing to offer a cheaper price. We're so certain that we offer a guarantee to beat your renewal, or pay you the difference, plus £20. In this scenario, you not only get the best price, but you also get more cash. So there's nothing to lose and lots to be gained.'
