Women are putting themselves at risk when they step into their car wearing flip flops.
Motoring on Female First
A third of motorists wear the flimsy footwear behind the wheel and confessions by drivers indicate they could be responsible for up to 1.4 million near misses or road accidents each year.
According to the study's research, flip flops not only impair motorists' movement between the brake and accelerator pedals by up to 0.1 seconds, but also reduce the driver's braking force by three per cent compared to safer shoes - the equivalent to travelling four metres further at 60mph.
The poll from Sheilas' Wheels found that over half of motorists drive in unsuitable footwear while one in five continue to wear shoes that they have had a near miss or accident in.
A worrying one in four motorists have got their shoe stuck under a pedal whilst driving - a wardrobe malfunction that can have disastrous consequences.
Over a third of drivers admit driving in flip flops is a nightmare while 27 per cent have had a mishap behind the wheel whilst wearing them. One in ten admit their flip flops have become stuck under a pedal and seven per cent blame them for a past near miss or accident on the roads.
Top five summer footwear Brits struggle to drive in:
1. Flip flops 2. Bare feet 3. Wedge heels 4. Espadrilles 5. SandalsOver half of motorists called for further guidelines and advice on the impacts of driving in different footwear to be made available as a quarter admit to choosing style over safety, picking out their footwear based on whether it goes with their outfit. A further one in ten women reveals that they have even worn shoes behind the wheel that they have struggled to walk in.
Jacky Brown, at Sheilas' Wheels car insurance, said: "It's worrying that so many drivers out there do not realise the impact their footwear choices can have on their safety at the wheel. Millions may think they can drive safely but may not realise the shortcomings of the flip-flop until it's too late - putting themselves, their passengers and other drivers at risk every time they get in the car."