Driving barefoot in Texas is not illegal. You won’t face tickets or charges solely for driving without shoes, even during a traffic stop. But that doesn’t mean barefoot driving doesn’t come without risks, which we’ll explore next.
Is Driving Barefoot Dangerous?
Driving barefoot offers benefits like better pedal sensitivity and comfort in hot weather. For example, some drivers find it easier to gauge braking pressure without thick soles, which can prevent accidental acceleration.
However, risks include foot injuries from debris or reduced grip if your feet are sweaty. Slippery pedals or delayed reactions could lead to accidents.
Worse, fleeing a crash barefoot might expose you to glass or sharp debris. Imagine escaping a vehicle fire only to step on broken glass—a risk shoes could mitigate. While not illegal, safety concerns remain. Insurance adjusters often exploit these risks to dispute liability, arguing that barefoot driving shows “recklessness,” even if it played no role in the crash.
Could Barefoot Driving Be Safer?
Ironically, some shoes are riskier than driving barefoot. High heels or thick-soled boots can hinder pedal control, increasing accident risks. Platform shoes, for instance, may prevent you from feeling the brake’s edge, delaying critical reactions. Flip-flops may slip off or jam under pedals, causing dangerous distractions.
While driving barefoot isn’t illegal in Texas, it carries hidden risks. Let me explain.
Footwear and Car Accidents: How Insurers Can Try to Blame You
If you’re injured in a car crash, insurers may blame your shoes. They’ll claim your choice of footwear—whether cowboy boots or sandals—made the crash “avoidable.” They’ll claim flip-flops or sneakers could’ve prevented the accident. Worse, jurors unfamiliar with Texas law might unfairly side with their narrative.
Texas law for negligence follows comparative negligence laws, meaning your compensation drops if you’re partially at fault. For example, let’s say you’re found 50% responsible for the accident, your compensation could be reduced by half. If you are found to to exceed 50% responsibility – you recover nothing. Remember insurers aren’t judges—they’ll exploit ambiguity to inflate your fault percentage.
If you’re found 50% responsible for the accident, your compensation could be reduced by half. Exceed 50%, and you recover nothing.
Protect yourself with sensible footwear and even smarter legal strategies. If an accident occurs, contact our Dallas car accident lawyers at to ensure insurers don’t blame your shoes unfairly.