It’s a wildly popular legend that barefoot driving is illegal. But, unlike what your dad might tell you, barefoot driving is legal in all 50 states and D.C.!
No! Barefoot driving is completely legal in Mississippi. In fact, it’s actually legal in all 50 states and D.C.
We know this because in 1994, a guy named Jason Heimbaugh decided to write to each state’s DMV to ask them if driving barefoot was illegal. Throughout that summer, he heard back from each and every state—it’s perfectly legal to drive without shoes.
Some states have formally stated that driving barefoot can be dangerous in certain situations, but not Mississippi. In short, barefoot driving in Mississippi is super-legal.
Even though it’s legal, barefoot driving is not always safe. There are some risks you take when you decide to don your naked feet behind the wheel:
You can avoid these risks by wearing a pair of well-fitting closed-toed shoes, such as sneakers. On the other hand, barefoot driving can actually be safer than driving with flimsy shoes like high-heels or sandals. Depending on your situation—and wardrobe for the day—you’ll need to decide what’s safest for you.
The bottom line: barefoot driving is legal in Mississippi, but it can be dangerous.
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