it is completely legal to drive without shoes. That doesn’t mean driving barefoot is a good idea, however—driving without footwear can increase your risk of getting into an accident.

Many people drive without shoes on occasion, and you’ve most likely been scolded for it at least once in your life. “Put your shoes on before you get a ticket!” is something many people have heard from a worried family member or friend.

Here to debunk that myth is

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. It’s actually legal to drive barefoot in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. That doesn’t mean it’s a good idea, though: barefoot driving can reduce the control you have over your car, and might even put you at higher risk for an accident.

Keep reading to find out the facts about barefoot driving, as well as finding cheap

car insurance in West Virginia

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Is it illegal to drive barefoot in West Virginia?

No! If you want to drive without shoes in West Virginia, it’s perfectly legal to do so.

Barefoot driving laws are a myth—not only is it legal to drive without shoes in West Virginia, but it’s also legal in every single one of the other 49 states as well. The popular misconception that it’s illegal to drive without shoes probably started simply because the practice is generally considered unsafe, but that myth was busted in 1994 by a guy named Jason Heimbaugh. Jason wrote to the DMV in every state, asking if driving barefoot was legal in their jurisdiction—and when the answers came back, every one of them said yes!

So that’s the truth about barefoot driving in West Virginia: it’s legal. But before you get behind the wheel without your kicks on, it’s important to remember that barefoot driving does present some safety risks.

MORE:

What happens if you’re caught driving with no car insurance?

Is it safe to drive barefoot?

Barefoot driving may be legal in every US state, but many states still advise their drivers to wear proper footwear. Barefoot driving can sometimes be unsafe, and in certain situations it can even decrease a driver’s control over their vehicle:

Driving barefoot makes it harder to press down on the gas or brake

Bare feet have less traction than shoes and might slip off the pedals as you drive

Driving barefoot can lead to

distracted driving

in certain situations

If you’re in an accident, you are more likely to sustain a serious injury to your feet

Nevertheless, it can be safer to drive barefoot than it is to drive with certain types of footwear. Clumsy shoes like flip-flops and high heels create more risk than bare feet do. If you want the safest shoes for driving, however, opt for closed-toe shoes with good traction like sneakers or boots.

MORE:

West Virginia reckless driving

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