10 Embarrassing Moments Behind the Wheel

Embarrassing moments happen, even to the best of drivers. But if having a witness to your stupidity weren’t bad enough, today’s world of smartphone-hugging-lookie-loos often ensures that someone, somewhere, has probably captured your faux pas on video. So, in the spirit of collective therapy, we’ve compiled a list of 10 of the most embarrassing moments that even the savviest of drivers have likely found themselves in a time or two.

1. Leaving the gas station without taking the hose out of the car

Let’s face it: it’s a little too easy to zone out while pumping gas these days. Some fueling stations even have TVs built into the pump unit! Apparently, the act of filling one’s tank is so taxing that we now need news updates and snack commercials just to endure. Add to that a ringing smartphone, bickering children, and a curious Labradoodle who’s already halfway out the back window, and it’s a wonder we even remembered we needed gas in the first place. But no one wants to be that person who savagely rips the fuel hose from the station, only to realize it three miles down the road. So, unless you live in New Jersey, check that side mirror before pulling away.

2. Parallel parking disasters

There’s a reason more than 4 in 10 people fail their driver’s test. Parallel parking is stressful! You’ve got just enough space to squeeze in, the guy behind you started with the hand gestures the second you put on your blinker, and three cars back some crossover is beeping because the driver is about to be late for her hot yoga class. How is someone supposed to perform under that kind of pressure?! Luckily, most modern vehicles now come with parking assist technology, so while the car maneuvers itself into that tricky spot, your hands are free to return all kinds of colorful gestures!

3. Forgetting you’re in reverse

As far as embarrassing moments go, this one’s up there. Ever find yourself happily cruising down the road when the light ahead suddenly turns from green to red, seemingly bypassing yellow altogether? You slam on the brakes and realize you’re just a little bit too far into the intersection. So, you check the rearview, confirm the coast is clear, and slowly inch back a few feet to a more respectable distance. No one’s the wiser. That is, until the light changes again, you hit the gas, and you’re smacked with the sinking realization that you never shifted back into Drive. Don’t worry, we’re sure the driver behind you totally empathizes…

4. Getting caught rocking out/talking to yourself

What is it about car acoustics that convinces us we all sound like rock stars? Whatever sorcery the automakers have built in, it’s important to remember that even with the windows up, the cabin is nowhere close to sound proof. Yes, that hot chick in the crosswalk caught you jamming out to Beyonce’s Single Ladies. She also caught you trying to cover it up by pretending you were actually talking to someone over the Bluetooth. Next time? Just own it, bud. Chicks dig a guy with confidence. Especially one who knows how to slay some Bey.

5. Driving away with take out food on roof

Does it get any worse than arriving home only to find that when you placed your take out order on the car roof to fish out your keys, you left the food up there? Forget about the poor shmuck with lo mein all over his windshield, you were seriously looking forward to those egg rolls! Maybe if we the people draw enough attention to our own stupidity, other food franchises will take a page from Domino’s book and start offering Carryout Insurance. A girl can dream, right?

6. Illegally passing someone and then getting stuck next to them at a red light

Embarrassing, awkward, and just a wee bit dangerous, we’re probably all guilty of this one. What can we say? We’re fickle creatures. When someone is out for a Sunday drive and we’re already running 10 minutes late for work lamenting about how nice it must be that this jerk has his weekend’s free to drive TWENTY MILES UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT, is it really fair to expect us to take the high road on this one? No, it’s not. Although, when illegally passing Mr. Has-All-Day leads to a very uncomfortable don’t-dare-make-eye-contact encounter at the red light up ahead, maybe it would have been better to just stay behind?

7. Forgetting about your roof carrier

Among embarrassing moments, this is a terribly common one that has led to more than a few damaged mountain bikes, broken skis, and lost luggage. If you think you can squeeze under that overhang, you can’t. And if you’re the type of driver who only uses a roof rack for the occasional family vacation, maybe invest in some of those new ultra-sticky Post-Its and leave a little memo on the dash. Or better yet, check out some of these idiot-proof roof carrier alternatives!

8. Realizing too late that you’re in the wrong lane, but attempting to switch anyway

One of the worst embarrassing moments behind the wheel, this faux pas comes with a particularly high level of public shame. You know you should just stay in your current lane and either turn around or exit when it’s safe to do so. But that’s going to take, like, a whole extra two minutes. Isn’t it easier to just panic and then inconvenience all the drivers around you and squeeeeeze into their lane amid honking and cursing?

9. Driving through the unsuspecting garage door/mailbox/garbage can

When I was sixteen and first learning to drive, I clipped my parents’ mailbox no fewer than five times. I also backed into their garbage can a few times for good measure as well. So, as far as embarrassing moments go, this is one to which I can really relate. And before you get all judgey, remember that the average vehicle weighs about 3.4 tons. That’s not exactly what one would call nimble. And maneuvering around obstacles can be tricky, especially when that planter or patio furniture just leaps out at you from the curb.

10. Burnout fails

Smoke up the tires of your car, show off some power, and impress the ladies all at once. Then lose control, blow out a tire, or damage the drivetrain. Oh, to be young and dumb. Unless you actually know what you’re doing, maybe leave this one to the professionals?

Have you had a particularly embarrassing driving moment? Share it down in the comments!

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