Seattle car thieves left keys in ignition and ran away because they couldn’t drive manual
- Fewer US drivers are learning to drive manual transmission
- That’s why would-be car thieves in Seattle, America, were forced to flee
- They were unable to get to grips with the stick shift
Published on Jul 16, 2024 at 2:23 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Last updated on Jul 16, 2024 at 7:05 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Alessandro Renesis
With fewer and fewer US drivers learning to drive manual transmission, thieves in Seattle, America, were forced to flee when they were enable to get to grips with the stick shift.
The three teenage would-be carjackers left the keys in the ignition and ran away.
And the car owner was able to have the last laugh.
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The thieves were foiled by manual transmission
Back in 2014, 70-year-old Seattle motorist Nancy Frederickson had gone to the car park to grab something from her trunk.
Three would-be teenage thieves held her at gunpoint demanding her keys.
“I thought it was a joke,” Ms Frederickson said to Komo4TV.
However, after handing them over she was pleased to have the last laugh when they were stumped by the car’s manual.
“I got a five-speed in there, and they couldn’t figure out how to get it going,” Fredrickson said.
She stood and watched the wayward youths try – and fail – to get the manual vehicle started.
The three boys then abandoned the keys in the ignition and fled on foot – and there’s CCTV evidence to back up Ms Frederickson’s incredible story.
While she could see the funny side after the fact and is actually a black belt in martial arts, Ms Frederickson admits that she was initially upset and shaken when she first spoke to the cops.
“You learn that if someone is trying, the best thing you can do is be still. And it’s not easy for me to be still at times, but in that situation yes,” she said.
“It was quite an interesting day. Let’s put it that way.”
‘Stick’ vs automatic cars in the US
So why the confusion?
Only around 1 percent of new cars sold in the U.S. came with three pedals and a stick shift.
As a result, an estimated 97 percent of Americans drive automatic vehicles.
And even more car drivers in America are predicted to go automatic.
In fact, many US drivers seem ‘baffled’ by how a stick shift actually works.
These aren’t the first unfortunate car thieves.
Some unfortunate thieves stalled a Porsche twice and were forced to give up because they couldn’t drive a manual.
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Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
London-based Amelia cut her journalistic teeth covering all things lifestyle, wellness and luxury in the UK capital. Fast-forward a decade and the experienced content creator and editor has put pen to paper for glossy magazines, busy newsrooms and coveted brands. When her OOO is on you can find her spending quality time with her young family, in the gym or exploring the city she loves.
