Can Police Issue A Challan For Driving In Slippers? Here Is What The Traffic Officer Says

New Delhi: The one question that always concerns people is, whether wearing slippers while driving a car can result in challan or not? Many believe that police can issue a challan, which is completely false.

What does the Motor Vehicles Act say?

According to the information issued from the office of Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on September 25, 2019, there is no provision under the Motor Vehicles Act for imposing a fine or issuing a challan for driving in slippers.

The information clarified that the updated motor Vehicle Act does not punish anyone for driving in slippers.

अफवाहों से सावधान...!#TrafficFines #MotorVehicleAct pic.twitter.com/vd2gLu72i3

— Office Of Nitin Gadkari (@OfficeOfNG) September 25, 2019

What about safety concerns?

But if we see this through safety reasons, then wearing proper shoes while driving remains a best practice. Wearing shoes while driving provides better pedal control, whereas slippers offer limited grip.

Traffic police sometimes stop drivers for unsafe practices. But according to the Motor Vehicles Act, there is no specific rule that says wearing chappals while driving a car automatically attracts a challan. Traffic authorities and road safety experts say the focus should be on safe driving, not footwear. 

Recently a senior traffic officer explained in a video that the practice can be risky. 

Traffic police officer Vivekanand Tiwari said that slippery shoes may lead to poor pedal control, especially in sudden braking or emergency situations. 

The traffic police officer shared a video on Facebook and said that the police can still stop a driver if they feel the footwear is affecting safe control of the vehicle. In such cases, if the officer finds the overall driving dangerous or negligent, a challan could be issued under general traffic safety provisions rather than a specific “chappal rule”.

According to safety experts, wearing proper shoes, ones that cover the heel and fits properly, gives better control on pedals.