Is It Illegal To Drive Your Subaru Impreza In Sandals?

This family car has the legendary Subaru all wheel drive system and plenty of safety features on board. But, even the best active safety features can’t act as a substitute for good driving (yet) and a large part of driving is the footwear that we choose. Pressing pedals under pressure can be challenging and what you wear on your feet whilst driving matters. So, is it illegal to drive in sandals? Let’s find out.

The Short Answer

No, technically it isn’t illegal to drive your Subaru Impreza or any other car in sandals. When we talk about shoes, it includes those quick to put on items of footwear, such as thongs, slides, Crocs, and sandals. However, this isn’t the whole story, and if your footwear choice is deemed to be impairing your ability to drive safely, you could still be pulled over by the Police. Driving in a careless manner can be affected by a wide variety of factors and footwear is one of them.

The Rules of the Road

There are Australian Road Rules in place in every State and Territory. These rules can vary a little from place to place in how they are applied, but they are broadly similar in nature. Australian Road Rule 297 clearly states that you cannot drive a vehicle unless you have proper control of it. This law can be applied in a number of different ways; it’s almost a “catch all” piece of legislation for driving in a careless manner. Drivers have been prosecuted under Australian Road Rule 297 for having a dog on their lap whilst driving or by using a smartphone in their hands. This will also apply to drivers that are wearing footwear that impairs their ability to drive their car. When you’re driving, it’s essential that you can properly control every aspect of the car and that includes the pedals. There is nothing worse than trying to press a brake pedal in an emergency, and your foot slips off the brake when you need it most.

What are the Penalties?

The penalties relating to driving without having proper control of your car can vary a great deal depending on where you live. As an example: in New South Wales you could receive three demerit points and a $448 fine, and in Victoria, you may still get the three demerit points, but you could be required to attend and complete a safe driving program instead. It’s a good idea to check the possible penalties for your State or Territory to see what you may be risking when you drive in sandals. It’s also worth mentioning the drivers in violation of these rules may not be covered by their insurance company.

If you’re in the market for a new Subaru Impreza get in touch with City Subaru and we will be delighted to arrange a no obligation test drive for you today.