The 'Safe Shoes' report shows that a massive 80% of female drivers wear inappropriate footwear when in control of a car - choosing style over safety. A third (33%) of all female drivers confess to wearing flip-flops, while 18% claim that they have worn no shoes at all when driving, which experts say can be extremely hazardous and is currently illegal in some parts of the United Kingdom.

Just under half (47%) of women drivers 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. (Well, HELLO! I coulda told you that!)

Under a fifth (17%) of female drivers keep a spare pair of 'driving shoes' in the car to change into, while nearly a quarter (23%) 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.

Jacky Brown, spokesperson for Sheilas' Wheels, said: "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.

"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 report highlighted that 63% of women called for better guidelines to advise them on the correct form of footwear to wear when driving. A lack of understanding is clearly evident as over half (54%) of female motorists believed that sports trainers were the safest shoes to drive in - even though their thick soles and chunky design limit both movement between, and contact with, the pedals.

Dianne Ferreira, spokesperson for Brake the national road safety charity, added: "An alarming number of female drivers simply do not realise the danger they are putting themselves, and others, in by driving in inappropriate shoes. High heels, platforms and flip-flops can seriously hamper your ability to drive safely, and could have fatal consequences. It only takes a few seconds to change your shoes before each journey to help ensure you arrive safely."

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' concept 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 in the United Kingdom cheaper car insurance and product enhancements including handbag coverage (for bags stolen from the car), a dedicated counseling line run by trained professionals to help customers cope with driving issues such as road rage, and a network of female-friendly repairers.

Sheilas' Wheels is a division of esure - one of the UK's direct insurers.  Their research found that women claim less, are responsible for far fewer driving convictions, and have attitudes towards cars, driving, and other road users that are often more considered than those of their male counterparts. They formed Sheilas' Wheels as a whole new brand with a whole new look at car insurance for women to reward these differences.

Sheilas' Wheels, the insurance brand for women, is always looking at ways to highlight the issues facing women behind the wheel and offer solutions. Last year, it unveiled its 'Buddy on Demand' innovation - a blow-up man that packs neatly into the glovebox, but inflates at the flick of a switch if and when a passenger is needed to make female drivers feel safer.

Female motorists can visit www.ilovesheilas.com to learn more about the Sheilas behind the site, as well as to give their opinion on whether they love or hate the 'Sheila Driving Heel'. At the time of this writing, the percentages were 90% love the shoe, and only 10% hate it.

Let me tell you, I would totally wear these shoes if they were actually for sale.

by Brandy Schaffels
Contributing editor and high-heel fanatic