Uber-high heels may be chic, but they’re not safe. That’s the message from countless studies of accidents involving female drivers. As the UK Daily Express reports, driving in high heels is dangerous because drivers may find the heels “jamming between or under pedals, or slipping off,” causing them to lose control of their vehicle. Driving barefoot or in flip flops is also dangerous.

Most women know this– they’ve had a few scary moments of shoe-induced vehicular chaos themselves. Still, most of us fashionistas think about fashion rather than drivability when choosing which shoes to wear.

Here are three ways how can women balance their need for fashion with safe driving habits.

1) Keep a spare pair of driving shoes in the car. Remember those beat-up Keds you keep meaning to throw out? You know, the ragged slip-ons that you’ll never wear out again, but you can’t pull yourself to throw out because they’re still structurally sound? You don’t have to contribute to the landfill– just keep them in your trunk for those funky footwear days.

2) Get some special driving footwar. Anne Klein has some pretty slick driving shoes:

These classy, patent mocs will keep your driving feet happy– and they’re perfect for the office.

For a little more sass, throw in purposeful stitching and an adorable kitten heel, and you’ve got the Farrah by Sam Edelman:

3. Get collapsible heels. Much of the research on unsafe driving has been publicized by Sheila’s Wheels, a UK company offering car insurance for women. Sheila’s Wheels has also created a heel designed to fold up into the sole of the shoe while you drive:

Top photo by Paul Keleher.