MythBusters · Video summary

Can Wearing High Heels Make You a More Dangerous Driver? | MythBusters

The MythBusters tackle two driving myths: whether certain types of footwear are dangerous to drive in, and if driving with a full bladder is as bad as driving while intoxicated.

MythBusters · August 20, 2026 · 26-min episode · 3-min read

Can Wearing High Heels Make You a More Dangerous Driver? | MythBusters

Key takeaways

👠Certain types of footwear, like high heels and snow boots, were initially thought to be dangerous for driving due to their design, but testing showed no significant impact on reaction time or driving precision.00:24
⏱️The reaction time test involved moving the foot from the accelerator to the brake, with the slowest times indicating potentially dangerous footwear.01:22
👢The three worst-performing footwear types in the shop test were snow boots, high heels, and wedges.04:17
🚗Despite the perceived difficulty, Adam and Jamie completed the stunt driving course in high heels, wedges, and snow boots with times identical to their regular driving shoes.10:49
🚽Driving with a full bladder, while uncomfortable, was found to be less impairing than driving while intoxicated.25:04
🍺Driving while intoxicated resulted in a significantly lower score (25 points) compared to driving with a full bladder (70 points), indicating it is far more dangerous.25:19

Chapters

0:00Introduction to Dangerous Driving Myths
0:15The Footwear Myth: Initial Test Setup
1:56Reaction Time Test in the Shop
6:53Identifying the Worst Footwear
8:29Preparing for the Road Test
8:48Stunt Driving Practice
10:20The Road Test Course Explained
12:04Control Laps with Regular Shoes
15:08High Heels Road Test
20:10Wedges Road Test
21:33Snow Boots Road Test
22:15Footwear Myth Conclusion
23:51The Full Bladder vs. Drunk Driving Myth Introduction
25:15Full Bladder Test Course Setup
28:41Medical Supervision and Bladder Filling
32:35Full Bladder Driving Test
36:49Intoxicated Driving Test
41:30Final Results and Myth Conclusion

The digest

Driving is a daily activity for many, but what if common habits or fashion choices could turn you into a hazard on the road? The MythBusters delve into two intriguing myths surrounding dangerous driving: the impact of footwear and the surprising effects of a full bladder.

Footwear Follies: Do Your Shoes Make You a Dangerous Driver?

The first myth investigates whether certain types of footwear are so poorly designed for driving that they actually make you a dangerous driver. The team starts by selecting six types of shoes that appear "dodgy" for driving: flip-flops, high heels, wedges, platform shoes, elevator boots, and snow boots. To determine which shoes pose the biggest risk, they devise a reaction time test. Each person puts on a pair of shoes, gets into a stationary car, and moves their foot from the accelerator to the brake as quickly as possible. The time taken is recorded, with the slowest times indicating the most dangerous footwear.

After extensive testing in the shop, the three worst performers are identified: snow boots, high heels, and wedges. These three types of footwear are then selected for a real-world road test on a closed course.