Driving in sensible shoes

I read this week about some research that shows that women are driving in high heels, flip flops, trainers with chunky soles and – heaven help us – bare feet! And that this practice could lead to accidents.

Now I want to make it clear here that I do believe in safe driving practices and I my own driving seriously.

But hang on…I know a lot of women – and I don’t know one single on who changes her shoes for driving….and I  can’t find statistics which show the number of accidents caused by shoes (worn by men too  – the trainers and flip flops but not the high heels though if that works for them….).

So either this is a massive timebomb ticking away – or it’s yet another attempt to predict where an accident might happen in the worst case scenario so let’s get hung up about it.

I got to thinking. I probably should not put hairspray on – ever – as if I stood next to a smoker ( I don’t smoke and this is Scotland so I can choose never to be near smokers -as they are all out in the street) but if I did – my hair could catch fire.

Or – and as my particularly grumpy driving instructor told me – I should not wear sunglasses as the rims might just give me a blind spot when I am driving ( he did not seem to have a problem with regular specs).

Or I should not wear my lovely Chanel No5 perfume as someone might come up close to me and have an allergic reaction ( think nut allergies here – it happens, I know).

Is there a point to this rambling I hear you ask – if you have not already switched off.

I am increasingly disturbed by the number of reports which come out showing that a particular behaviour or action must be curbed as it might cause a problem. I am particularly concerned about this when it is aimed at parents  – especially new mums ( or those yet to give birth).

I breast fed my daughter and she has diabetes. I did what I was told was right – but maybe I did not do it for long enough or did not eat the right things myself so that contributed…. It possibly gave her a great start in life generally though so I am happy with that.

What I guess I am getting at is where does common sense come into this? Shouldn’t we make decisions about what we do, be careful where needed, never take action in malice  - and take responsibilities for our actions?

And what really bothers me is that with all of this worst case stuff is there a danger that we just become immune and stop caring – so that we miss the really good and useful advice?