Have you ever had anyone tell you that it’s against state law to drive without your shoes on? If so, you should know that this is actually just a common myth. It is not against the law in any state to be barefoot while you drive a car or truck. It’s also not against the law to drive barefoot at the federal level.
It is worth noting that some other vehicles could have laws regulating barefoot driving—like motorcycles. For your daily car driving, though, you can wear shoes or keep them off, as you’d like.
However, it is important to know that many police officers and other officials do tell drivers that it’s not wise to drive barefoot. They have found that:
1. It can make driving more difficult.
2. Shoes that have been taken off and left under the seat could end up under the pedals, causing them to get stuck and not work properly.
3. Barefoot driving could lead to an accident. Though not having the shoes on may not be illegal, a barefoot driver could still be cited for causing the accident itself—something that can even be a felony if someone passes away.
What If I Was Hit By a Driver Who Was Barefoot?
On the other side of the situation, perhaps you’ve been hit by someone who was driving without shoes on in Illinois. If so, it’s crucial to know that this could lead to reckless driving charges, helping to establish fault in the accident and making it easier for you to seek compensation for any injuries that came about as a result of the crash. If this has happened to you, contact a car accident lawyer in Chicago today.