10 Everyday Struggles You Face As A Short Five Foot Something Driver

1. You struggle to see over the steering wheel

If you favour a low ‘n sporty driving position, you’ll be looking at nothing but steering wheel. Your only option is to jack the chair back up and lose the seat-of-your-pants driving experience.

2. Gullwing doors are your enemy

Short arms mean that closing a gullwing door while seated is impossible. It’s embarrassing when you try and fail, which is why short people don’t even bother trying to close them…

3. See that ball of fire? You'll never escape it

Because short people sit lower in the car, a sun visor does little to block the sun from their eyes. #FirstWorldProblems.

4. Washing your car is 'problematic'

More often than not, a short person will have to clamber on top of his or her car to get to those ‘hard to reach’ places.

5. Slow electric seats...don't even go there

The chances are high that you’ve stepped into the electric driver’s seats of a friend’s ride. Your feet don’t touch the pedals so you slowly (and awkwardly) shift it forward.

6. See that comfy car seat? Good luck with that!

For short people, finding the perfect driving position is a challenge. Some cars (the Kia Pro Cee’d GT, for example) have long seat squabs which make long journeys painful for short thighs.

7. You feel less of a man when your girlfriend's driving position is further from the wheel than yours

No man should have to move the seat forward in his girlfriend’s car, but it happens, and I feel your pain, brother…

8. When you drive aggressively, it's because of your 'Napoleon complex'

Getting cut up on the road can lead to moments of aggressive driving. Do this when you’re short and you’ll be accused of having a Napoleon complex or short man syndrome.

9. This is how short people work on their car

Getting your hands dirty with engine oil isn’t the only drawback of working on your own ride. More often than not, you’ll have to use your car as a step ladder.

10. You have to stretch to get at your seatbelt

This is a short-person phenomenom that applies to three-door cars only, but it’s a biggie. Picture the scene; you’re sitting close to the wheel (because short legs) and the seatbelt is a good foot or so behind you (big doors push the B-pillar right back). You stretch back to grab the belt with your short arms, which, unless you’re a stretchy ballet dancer involves shoulder clicks and a stiff neck. What happened to safety first?