Charles Darwin with a purple swarm around his head, contemplating the twist of fate that natural selection sidestepped these still-living honorable mentions.

2004 Honorable Mention

Next Prev Random Honorable Mentions have misadventures that stop short of the ultimate sacrifice. Nevertheless we salute the spirit of their colossal blunders with an Honorable Mention. Better luck next time!

Clean Brake
2004 Honorable Mention
Confirmed True by Darwin

(5 November 2004, Greymouth, New Zealand) Sometimes it pays to use a cheaper substitute, thought Wayne, 19, as he replaced lost brake fluid with dishwashing liquid. He took the car out for a test drive and discovered that sometimes you get what you pay for.

He applied his foot to the brake pedal as the car began to slide around a slight bend, but for some reason, the brakes didn't respond. The car spun completely around, clipped the curb, and slammed into a power pole.

His trouble was just beginning, though, because Wayne had also saved money by not registering the car. There was really no point in registering the car, he thought, because his license had already been suspended. Wayne was sentenced to 220 hours of community service for driving with a suspended license, stealing two orange traffic safety cones, and dangerous driving.

For what it's worth, his license was suspended for another year.

DarwinAwards.com © 1994 - 2020
Submitted by: Orange Kiwi Ford
Reference: New Zealand Herald

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