MADE FOR CRASHING
Could women's shoes be the reason that men are considered better drivers? asks
HESE boots are made for walking ... not driving. In fact, a study by UK-based road safety institution Brake reveals that your favourite boots, wedges or heels can cause accidents.
The study has found that 15% of women are victims of their shoes while driving, as they lose control of their vehicles.
It’s also a known fact that women often have to adjust their seats when they get into their cars because of the different height of their shoes.
As a result, the side mirrors could be out of focus and sometimes there’s just no time to move the seat, making the position all
Tthe more uncomfortable and unsafe. So what do our celebs have to say about that? Comedian Tumi Morake says if she can’t walk in certain shoes, she surely won’t be driving in them.
“When I was learning to drive, my sister-in-law said if you can’t walk in them shoes you can’t drive in them.
“So you won’t catch me dead in pencil heels. It makes sense, though. Imagine if you get that heel caught in the mat while driving a manual car
– you’re going to be in big trouble! I want to be comfortable all the time, even when driving,” she says.
Singer Jacqui Carpede of Jamali says she is always in heels and steps on the gas with them too.
“I know some women absolutely can’t drive in heels but I don’t find it problematic. I guess it’s a matter of comfort,” she says.
“Accidents aren’t caused by shoes, they are caused by people’s irresponsible behaviour on the road
– such as drinking and driving, not adhering to the rules of the road and speeding.
“I’m the resident driver when I go out with my friends
– in my heels.” Designer Hangwani Nengovhela says she always keeps flats or flip-flops in her car, but more for the sake of keeping her sexy heels in good shape.
“The heels of my shoes tend to get damaged when I drive in them. They also tend to scrape or damage the interior of the car.
“I can’t dispute the fact that, no matter how expensive our shoes are, they can also be uncomfortable.
“So with me it depends on the shape of the heel or wedge. But I’d rather use flats,” she says laughing.
South Africa’s only female dedicated vehicle insurance company, 1st for Women, agrees that women’s shoes can be hazardous on the road.
The company’s MD Robyn Farrell JOBURG promises to produce this year s idol or at least a
’ – representative in the top five.
This was evident in the first episode of Idols 2012 last Sunday.
Joburg delivered a ... “smorgasbord of musical diversity, says judge
” Gareth Cliff.
And generally this year s show looks set to be
’ better than ever as producers and contestants both seem to have dug deep into their creative bags.
The rules also seem to be less stringent as there were several comeback kids who were eliminated in the first round.
Some were chopped for their inability to harmonise with their band and others for practical reasons.
One such was Rethabile Khumalo, the daughter of Afro pop singer Winnie, who gave a beautiful rendition of Adele s Hometown.
’ Judges Cliff and Unathi Msengana were both bowled over but not Randall Ice
“King Abrahams. ” Though the 17-year-old belted the song out better than her mom, Abrahams felt she was too young to go to Sun City.
This is the second time Khumalo has been debarred due to her age. says: Wearing tight or high-fitting
“boots that restrict leg movement and boots with thick soles or high heels can affect your driving ability.
“Without complete freedom of movement, your reaction time to brake or accelerate could be slowed.
“Similarly, obstructive soles and heels could result in you stepping on the accelerator and brake at the same time or pushing the wrong pedal entirely.
“Essentially, your ability to maintain control of your car is compromised.”
Farrell says they conducted a mini survey to see how South African women feel about driving in boots and high heels and most think it’s a breeze!
“One woman did admit to losing control of her car due to inappropriate footwear and some said they usually swop their fashionable footwear for flats when driving,” says Farrell.
The UK study goes further and warns against heavily-padded jackets, which could hamper movement while driving.
Hand gloves have also been sighted as they could cause a driver to lose traction on the steering wheel.
So keep a pair of less bulky shoes in your car for when you’re driving and put on your precious, sexy ones when you arrive at your destination.
And de-bulk and de-glove.
The judges told me I was still “young and needed to grow, but I am ready to take the competition to the next level,” she says.
And there was another surprise in the form of Vincent Pen Lai, who whipped out a ukulele which he accompanied with such vocal prowess that Unathi, who had initially warned her colleagues that this
“could take long ”, had to swallow her words.
Kabelo Mofokeng proved to be another whirlwind to look out for, while Tshepi Mash s
’ performance was described as infectious ”, as if she made it “through her personality alone.
And of course it would not have been Idols if there wasn t a
’ bevy of the vocally challenged. Angelique Motaung, who came bragging about having written 28 songs and three bonus tracks, gave such a hideous performance the judges could only laugh. But Gavin Meltz could very well snatch the coveted Wooden Mic from her. He made a joke of singing one of Elvis blues songs
’ and, to top it all, he forgot some of the lyrics.
The countrywide audition process kicked off in Joburg in February and ended over the Easter weekend at the Sandton Convention Centre.
ngudlea@sundayworld.co.za