Now for anyone that does not know driving barefoot is in no way illegal.
Because I don't want to argue if it's legal or not here (because that's not the point of this post) I'm just going to direct people to check out this page for more information in regards to it.
Looking at that link I also notice the Virginia letter is from 1994... I may just have to take it upon myself to get an updated version of that.
Now onto the topic at hand:
I don't take shoes with me when I leave the house anymore. I don't want to risk myself chickening out at the last moment, and so I can honestly say "I don't have any shoes with me" when someone asks.
My issue? No matter how safe a driver I am (and I'm not saying I'm the best out there, everyone makes mistakes) I can not guarantee how safe the drivers around me are.
It's inevitable that at some point in your life you're going to get pulled over or get into an accident. That's just the way life is. Maybe you'll be in a strange part of town and miss that stop sign, maybe you're running a bit late for work and speed, maybe you'll slam on your breaks and be unable to stop in time for the person that pulled out of the gas station and directly in front of your car- There's always a possibility.
My worry? I'm going to get stuck dealing with a police officer and it's going to be that one office that is going to make it into an issue. I've had good experiences with cops before, and bad experiences but I admit the bad ones are the ones that sit more visibly in my mind. I don't consider cops to be bad people by any means, but most everyone has a horror story, and I think many people would agree they worry when they'll get their own.
I enjoy driving barefoot- It's comfortable, I can feel the peddles, and there's no guess work as I find there is with shoes breaking up that connection between my foot and the peddle. But what's going to happen when I get slammed with a reckless driving charge by a cop for driving barefoot? How would you even argue that case?
In that light I often wonder... Is it worth being able to honestly say I have no shoes with me, or to keep a pare of flip flops under the seat just in case?
I enjoy driving barefoot too. Found I can't drive a stick-shift with flips on, so in some cases it's a necessity.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, we aren't breaking any laws, as long as we aren't riding a motorcycle in Alabama.
Although if you have an accident, there may be the broken glass that everyone fears worse than death.
If a cop with a bad attitude or foot phobia tried to charge you with something for driving barefoot (like reckless driving), I think the state would have to *prove* that driving barefoot is reckless in court. As for me, I leave home without shoes more often than not and I don't worry about it. ~ Your fellow barefoot Virginian.
ReplyDeleteI think driving in flip-flops is more reckless than driving barefoot. I think if you state calmly and with confidence that you know you drive best in bare feet, this could have some weight.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about it. I was pulled over once for speeding and was barefoot. The officer said nothing about my feet. He just gave me a ticket for speeding. My advice is to not make a big deal, for you are not doing anything wrong.
ReplyDeleteYou lucky Girl, you got the auther of The Barefoot Book too comment on your blog post.
ReplyDeleteWay too go girl.
I'm trying not to gush too much here... But I loved your book Mr. Howell and it helped me a lot to finally just kick the dang shoes off.
ReplyDeleteI mostly worry if it ever did go to court a lawyer would be needed. I'm far too broke to pay for a lawyer.