23 July 2026
Don’t put a foot wrong: Allianz UK warns summer footwear could drive up accident risk
As motorists take to the roads this summer, Allianz UK is urging drivers not to overlook their choice of footwear and opt for safety over convenience.
According to new research1 nearly half (49%) of UK motorists admit to driving in at least one type of insecure footwear.
A quarter (25%) have driven in flip-flops, while 23% have driven in slippers and one in five (20%) have driven barefoot. Sliders (17%), high heels (16%) and stiletto heels (7%) also featured on the list, with 72% aged 25-34 admitting they’d driven in at least one of these types of footwear.
For many motorists, footwear choices seem to be driven by practicality. Nearly half (46%) said comfort and convenience were the main reasons, while 42% admitted they simply drive in whatever shoes they happen to be wearing.
Although these choices may seem harmless, Allianz UK has paid out around £277,000 in claims involving flip-flops and sandals since 2021.
The cost of convenience
While it’s not illegal to drive barefoot or in footwear such as flip-flops or high heels, the Highway Code states that motorists should ensure their footwear doesn’t prevent them from using a vehicle's controls correctly. Motorists found guilty of careless driving can receive a £100 fixed penalty notice and three penalty points, while more serious offences can carry up to nine penalty points, an unlimited fine and disqualification from driving.
The insurer warns that different types of footwear can present varying challenges. Loose-fitting slippers, sliders and flip-flops provide limited grip and can slip off or become caught beneath the pedals. High heels can reduce stability and restrict the natural movement needed to operate pedals smoothly and consistently. Driving barefoot can also alter pedal feel and pressure control, while wet feet may reduce grip on pedal surfaces.
Despite these risks, almost a quarter (23%) of drivers who admitted driving in insecure footwear said they didn’t think it was unsafe.
Claims involving flip-flops and sandals cost £4,250 on average according to Allianz UK and are typically linked to low-speed collisions such as crashes into walls, homes, other vehicles and incidents in car parks. With motorists more likely to swap shoes for sandals and flip-flops in warmer weather, 94% of these claims occurred during the summer months last year, compared with just 29% in 2024, when the UK experienced its coolest summer since 2015.
Matt Cox, Chief Claims Director at Allianz UK, said:
"It is easy to not think about the footwear that we drive in. However, insecure footwear could contribute to an increase in accidents and affect road safety for all users, which shows up in our own claims data.
"Drivers can also face fines and points on their license, so it’s not worth the risk. For motorists hitting the roads this summer consider wearing secure footwear that provides good grip and allows unrestricted movement, as this will ensure you maintain control of the car and can react safely to hazards."
1 Online survey of 2000 UK Car owners commissioned by Allianz UK and conducted by market research company OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research Society's code of conduct. Data was collected between 06/05/2026 and 08/05/2026. All participants are double-opted in to take part in research and are paid an amount depending on the length and complexity of the survey. This survey was overseen and edited by the OnePoll research team. OnePoll are MRS Company Partners, corporate membership of ESOMAR and Members of the British Polling Council.
Media contact:
Natasha Gibbs, Allianz UK External Communications Manager, natasha.gibbs@allianz.co.uk
Zara Singh, Allianz UK External Communications Graduate, zara.singh@allianz.co.uk
About Allianz Holdings plc
Allianz Holdings plc is the non-regulated holding company which owns the principal insurance operations of Allianz SE in Great Britain including Allianz Insurance.
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The Allianz Group is one of the world's leading insurers and asset managers with around 125 million* private and corporate customers in nearly 70 countries. Allianz customers benefit from a broad range of personal and corporate insurance services, ranging from property, life and health insurance to assistance services to credit insurance and global business insurance. Allianz is one of the world’s largest investors, managing around 764 billion euros** on behalf of its insurance customers. Furthermore, our asset managers PIMCO and Allianz Global Investors manage about 1.8 trillion euros** of third-party assets. Thanks to our systematic integration of ecological and social criteria in our business processes and investment decisions, we are among the leaders in the insurance industry in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. In 2023, over 157,000 employees achieved total business volume of 161.7 billion euros and an operating profit of 14.7 billion euros for the group.
* Including non-consolidated entities with Allianz customers.
** As of September 30, 2024.
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