Sharing the Press Release of Ford’s story how wearing the right shoes helps you become a safer and smarter driver.
GOOD SHOES = GOOD DRIVING
- High-heels, wedges and thong sandals are the most dangerous shoes for safe driving
- Shoes cover the driver’s only interface to a vehicle’s accelerator, brake and clutch so it is vital that a driver considers his or her shoes before setting out on a drive.
MANILA, Philippines, 9 September 2013 – Driving is an extremely complex task that almost becomes intuitive, but have you ever taken a moment to think that the shoes you choose may affect how you drive or your safety in an emergency situation? Similarly selecting the right shoes to drive in will provide a comfortable experience and reduce the impact that driving in traffic conditions involving constant use of the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals can have on your feet and ankles.
“Our Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) seminars reach out to drivers, both male and female, new and seasoned drivers alike, as we look to share with them ways to be safe and smart drivers. Each year, we look forward to our dealership tours as we inspire motorists to help make a difference on our roads,” says Anika Salceda-Wycoco, AVP Communications, Ford Philippines.
Award-winning driving expert, Eugene Herbert, heads Ford’s Driving Skills for Life program and he explains that ideal driving shoes should have a rather thin sole. This is important as it provides the driver with the best pedal pressure when braking or accelerating. If the sole is too thick, the driver will have difficulty feeling the pedals to gauge how much pressure to apply. A shoe sole that is too wide can result in pressing two pedals simultaneously. According to Herbert, it is also worth noting that the sole should have a good grip in both normal and rainy conditions to prevent slipping.
Heels are a major culprit. According to Herbert, a major part of the problem that is caused by stiletto or wedge heels is that drivers are unable to get an optimal feel for the pedal’s position relative to its range of motion.
Boots tend to be quite heavy on the foot and may get stuck underneath the pedals when gear-changing. Flip flops are deemed one of the worst footwear choices because they can easily slip off and get jammed between the accelerator and brake pedals, and this applies to men and women alike.
“Dangerous situations while driving often requires a split-second reactions and drivers wearing unsuitable footwear put themselves at a great disadvantage,” he says.
“Fashion statements aside, in order for the driver to sustain the proper action on both the brake and accelerator pedal (and the clutch for manual-transmission cars), the heel should always rest on the floor to gauge optimal pedal pressure and achieve the correct pedal action. High heels make that nearly impossible, so in safe driving terms. The only thing worse than high heels is platform wedges – a double whammy of high heels and thick soles.”
There may be no need to buy another pair as you may already have one in your wardrobe that is perfectly suitable.
Here are Ford’s top tips for selecting the right shoe for driving:
- Check for the type of sole: It should not be too thick or too thin (preferably between 4mm and 10mm);
- The sole should not be too soft or too flexible;
- Shoes should have enough grip on the pedal to avoid slipping;
- Shoes should be lightweight and enable easy movement;
- Shoes should not hinder ankle movement in working various pedals;
- Shoes should not be unnecessarily wide;
- Despite casual versions of popular professional driving shoes being available these might not be ideal as they can become very slippery when wet both while driving and while walking.
“It’s easy to determine whether your shoes are a good driving choice: look at your feet; if you are wearing shoes which you would not wear for a driving test then you probably shouldn’t wear them to drive either.”
This year’s DSFL seminars will be held in dealerships across Metro Manila, including Ford Alabang, Ford Commonwealth, Ford Global City, Ford Libis, Makati Ford, Ford Manila and Ford Manila Bay. In addition, seminars will be conducted in key provincial dealerships, including Ford Batangas, Cavite and Ford Pampanga.
As part of its DSFL campaign this year, Ford is launching a special online component, called ‘I Pledge to Drive Safe’, which encourages both participants and anyone interested in the DSFL campaign to make a ‘pledge’ for road safety and share it with their family and friends on their social networks.
To join the ‘I Pledge to Drive Safe’ campaign, participants must “LIKE” the Ford Philippines Facebook fan page (https://www.facebook.com/FordPhilippines) and to take the ‘pledge’ found on the campaign tab.
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