Unsafe Factor — Snow Boots
Consequence: Rear-end collision and compensation
Stylish and warm, snow boots have recently become a favorite of Ms. Tang from Hangzhou. But last Thursday, they got her into trouble. While driving on Wen’er Road, which was quite congested, she struggled to move her feet between the gas and brake pedals through the thick, heavy snow boots. It didn’t take long before she felt exhausted. After passing Moganshan Road, the road conditions improved, and as she accelerated, the car in front of her suddenly braked hard. She intended to brake too, but her numb feet, combined with the thick soles, failed to reach the brake pedal with enough force. Her car crashed heavily into the one in front.
It was her first rear-end collision ever. The repair costs for both her car and the other vehicle totaled over 5,000 yuan. "It’s all because of these snow boots," said Ms. Tang. "Before leaving home, I hesitated about whether I could drive wearing them. But I thought since they’re flat shoes, it shouldn’t be a big issue." Unfortunately, her initial concern became reality.
An officer from the Accident Division of the Hangzhou Traffic Police Department explained that although snow boots don’t have heels as high as stilettos, driving in them can still be unsafe. "First, the soles of snow boots are very thick. On one hand, this adds weight to the shoes, reducing foot flexibility. On the other hand, the thickness affects the sensitivity when pressing the brake pedal in emergencies, leading to misjudgment. Also, snow boots are often high-cut, restricting ankle movement. In case of sudden emergencies, the boots may get stuck under the pedals, preventing you from braking effectively." Police advise female drivers not to wear snow boots while driving. A practical solution is to keep a pair of flat, thin-soled shoes in the car and switch to them when driving to ensure safety.
Unsafe Factor — High Heels
Consequence: Broken foot bone
Ms. Chen, a 21-year-old from Duqiao, Taizhou, helps her parents run their business in Hangzhou. A few days ago, she was driving back to her family home in Taizhou and, on the relatively smooth and lightly trafficked eastern extension of the Taizhou-Jinhua Expressway, she sped up (to 120 km/h). Upon reaching the exit of Jiululing Tunnel, she suddenly noticed two large trucks driving side by side ahead. As the distance between her and the trucks narrowed, she quickly hit the brakes. However, due to the excessive height of her heels, she couldn’t press the brakes firmly, and the car failed to decelerate quickly. In an instant, her vehicle was very close to the truck ahead. Panicking, Ms. Chen lost control and veered into the central reservation.
The car continued forward for over 200 meters inside the reservation at high speed, uprooting six small trees before finally coming to a stop. Ms. Chen was terrified. When she came to her senses and tried to get out of the car, she found her right foot in excruciating pain and completely immobile. A doctor later confirmed it was fractured. Facing the police, she tearfully lamented, "I usually drive in high heels. My brother often advises me not to wear them or use my phone while driving. If only I had listened to him, this wouldn’t have happened today."
Unsafe Factor — Sunglasses
Consequence: Head injury with bleeding
Mr. Chen, a native of Wenzhou and a self-proclaimed “sunglasses enthusiast,” never expected that his love for shades would lead to an accident. A few days ago, he and his girlfriend were driving from Yiwu to Wenzhou. Initially, his girlfriend was behind the wheel. When they reached the Linhai Service Area on the Taizhou-bound section of the Taizhou-Jinhua Expressway, they switched drivers. Fashion-conscious Mr. Chen, of course, kept his sunglasses on.
Upon entering the Fenghuangshan Tunnel on the Taizhou-Jinhua Expressway, Mr. Chen was suddenly plunged into much dimmer surroundings. Before he could react, there was a loud “bang” as his car rear-ended a large truck ahead. His forehead was split open, and blood streamed down his face. His girlfriend immediately called the police.
Police stated that according to the Zhejiang Province Implementation Measures of the Road Traffic Safety Law, driving in high heels can result in a fine of 50 yuan, but wearing sunglasses is harder to penalize. In fact, wearing sunglasses in bright sunlight can even be beneficial for driving. However, expressway conditions are complex, especially when transitioning from brightly lit roads into dark tunnels. The eyes need time to adjust to the sudden change in lighting, and wearing sunglasses makes this adjustment even harder — a genuinely dangerous situation.
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