Is it legal to drive barefoot in California?
QGrand Terrace resident Dave Snyder raises an interesting question.
“Recently, as I prepared to make a short trip to a drive-thru restaurant, I debated whether I needed to put on shoes,” he said. “I ended up putting some on.”
He asked if it’s legal to drive barefoot and added that he thinks driving barefoot is probably “not smart.”
AContrary to what many people think, it’s perfectly legal to drive barefoot in California because … it’s not illegal.
In other words, there are no state or federal laws banning driving without shoes or socks on your feet in California, and nothing in the California Vehicle Code says driving without shoes is illegal.
Whether this is smart or not is a matter of opinion. In some cases, it actually might be better to drive without shoes.
For example, if the driver is wearing flip flops or very high heels that could make it more difficult to feel the pedals or they could get caught in the pedals. It might not be a great idea to drive with wet feet or wet socks, either.
So, feel free to let your feet go bare while driving but as always, keep it safe.
Students get free bus rides
Here is some good news for San Bernardino County students in elementary, middle and high school across the county, and especially for teens without cars: K-12 students can ride free every day on every bus system in San Bernardino County.
This includes Omnitrans, Victor Valley Transit, Mountain Transit, Basin Transit and Needles Area Transit.
The K-12 Student Free Fare Program is sponsored by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority and is a one-year pilot project paid for primarily with Low Carbon Transit Operations funding, which seeks to reduce carbon emissions by increasing transit use.
This program is one way transportation agencies have stepped up efforts to get people out of individual cars and into public transportation. In this case, it’s helping students and families. This program gives students a little financial break, too.
Students can use the buses to go to school or anywhere else. The freefare program is being implemented separately by each system. Riders should contact their local bus system for more information and for schedule details.
Omnitrans: omnitrans. org, 800-966-6428
Victor Valley Transit Authority: vvta.org, 760948-4021
Mountain Transit: mountaintransit.org, 909878-5200
Basin Transit: basintransit.com, 800-7946282
Needles Area Transit: cityofneedles.com/transit, 760.326.2113, ext. 115
Electric vehicle charging stations on the way
While we’re sharing some positive transportation news, here’s a bit for drivers of electric vehicles.
By next summer, expect to see EV charging stations in the parking lots at some freeway rest areas along the 10 Freeway.
Caltrans began work late last month on a
$4.9 million project to install zero-emission vehicle charging stations on the 10 in Riverside and San Bernardino counties at the east and westbound Whitewater rest areas near Cabazon, westbound Wiley’s Well rest area near Blythe and the eastbound Wildwood rest area on the10 near Yucaipa.
No regular lane or ramp closures are expected during construction, but there could be occasional closures to move equipment into the rest areas. Drivers should watch out for signs alerting people of potential closures of these rest areas while this project, expected to finish in summer 2024, is underway.
Do you commute to work in the Inland Empire? Spend a lot of time in your vehicle? Have questions about driving, freeways, toll roads or parking? If so, write or call On the Road and we’ll try to answer your questions. Please include your question or issue, name, city of residence, phone number and email address. Write ontheroad@scng.com or call 951-368-9670.