Is Driving Like This In New York Illegal?

The weather is starting to warm up across New York and more people will be ditching the snow boots and sneakers and transitioning into flip-flops and sandals.

As a flip-flop wearer myself, I know how easy it can be to kick off your footwear and relax while you are driving.

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But could you get a ticket for driving barefoot in New York?

According to the laws currently on the books at the time of this writing, the answer is No.

Of course, there is some grey area. While driving barefoot or sans footwear is not illegal, if you are involved in an accident and not wearing footwear, the insurance company could try and prove that having no footwear was the cause or contributed to the cause of the accident.

They could argue that you didn't have the proper grip on your feet to use the brake or gas pedal. So while not illegal, not wearing footwear while driving could be used against you if you are involved in an automobile accident.

So as the weather warms up and you are planning trips to the beach or pool, you might want to make sure you have a pair of sneakers or proper footwear to use while you are driving.

Sure a police officer can't write you a ticket for not wearing shoes while driving, you don't want a court case involving an insurance company to go the wrong way because of the lack of your footwear.