Women Driving: To Heel or Not to Heel
by: Guest
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Word Count: 789
How many times has your wife, mother, or sister worried
more about her heels while driving than the car’s parts, the GMC brake dust shield,
for instance?
Well now it looks like someone has finally come up with a
solution to their worries.
A new footwear design concept that aims to “make women
safer and more comfortable behind the wheel, without compromising on their
style” has been recently launched by Sheilas' Wheels this week. Sheila’s
Wheels, an insurance brand for women, has developed the 'Sheila Driving Heel'
which gives women the best of both worlds - a safe, flat driving shoe and a
glamorous pair of heels in one - all interchangeable at a push of a button.
According to new research from Sheilas' Wheels, more than
11.5 million women drivers in the
The report highlighted that 75% of women in
According to the company’s 'Safe Shoes' report a massive
78% of female drivers in
Apparently safety goes second to style to some of those
surveyed as over a third (34%) of women drivers in Yorkshire said they chose
what shoes to wear when getting ready in the morning based on what went best
with their outfit rather than being the safest for driving in.
Only around one in six (14%) female drivers in Yorkshire
keep a spare pair of 'driving shoes' in the car to change into, while 19% admit
they can't be bothered to change their shoes when behind the wheel even if they
know they are not the safest for driving.
"It's astonishing that so many women are putting
themselves, their passengers and other drivers at risk by wearing the wrong
shoe or no shoe at all whilst behind the wheel. Stilettos, sling-backs and
strappy sandals aren't the sensible choice when it comes to controlling a car,”
Jacky Brown, spokesperson for Sheilas' Wheels said, "Our Sheila Driving
Heel design could provide safety-conscious female motorists with the ultimate
driving shoe - allowing women to wear a safe flat shoe whilst driving, and a
fashionable heel once they are out of the car."
The Safe Shoes report also reveals that although two
thirds of women (66%) wear heels when behind the wheel, they cited a number of
disadvantages - all of which are eliminated by the 'Sheila Driving Heel'
design:
- It damages or scuffs the back of the heel (52%) - with
the 'Sheila Driving Heel' design, the heel tucks up into the shoe and out of
harms way
- Heels can sometimes get caught under the pedal when
driving (49%)
- the flat shoe option removes this potentially dangerous
problem
- Wearing heels causes an uncomfortable driving position
(43%) - the flat shoe option lessens pressure on the knee and lower back,
improving comfort behind the wheel
- Heels don't provide enough grip (31%) - the 'Sheila
Driving Heel' shoe has a discrete yet effective tread on the sole, to aid grip
on the pedals
- It wears out the driving mat (17%) - the 'Sheila Driving
Heel' shoe has a curved back to aid pivoting of the ankle and remove the
possibility of damage
About Sheilas'
Wheels
Sheilas' Wheels was launched in October 2005 to offer
women drivers cheaper car insurance and product enhancements including GBP300
handbag cover - for bags stolen from the car (comprehensive cover only) -
competitive breakdown recovery rates, a dedicated counseling line run by
trained professionals to help customers cope with driving issues such as road
rage (comprehensive cover only), and a network of female-friendly repairers.
About the Author
Iver Penn
is a Mass Communications graduate who hails from
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