What would you do if you pulled up to a red light and saw something so bizarre it would instantly become a topic of global conversation? That’s precisely what happened in New Jersey in August 2018, when a man was filmed doing a “drive by licking” on a woman’s foot, creating one of the most talked-about viral videos of its time.
The now-infamous footage, captured by a bewildered bystander in an adjacent vehicle, depicted a middle-aged man vigorously licking or sucking the foot of a woman in the passenger seat. For approximately ten seconds, while the car was stopped, the woman appeared entirely unperturbed, casually absorbed in her phone. The unusual act continued until the man noticed the camera, prompting a brief, silent glance from both before they drove off.
This extraordinary incident quickly exploded into a bona fide viral video, spreading like wildfire across social media platforms and news outlets. The term “drive by licking” became shorthand for the shocking public display, sparking a wide spectrum of reactions from amusement and disbelief to outright disgust. Initial reports from various media sources, including those that appeared on platforms like iHeart and Olomoinfo, highlighted the sheer intensity of the act, with some describing the man as nearly choking or furiously munching on the foot.
The incident ignited extensive online discourse, particularly on Reddit, where communities like r/h3h3productions buzzed with speculation and debate. Many viewers quickly identified the act as a clear expression of a foot fetish, leading to discussions about consent and the appropriateness of such a public display of affection, or PDA, in traffic. Users also raised concerns about potential health risks, pondering the likelihood of bacterial infections from contact with feet in a public setting.
Despite the widespread attention, the identities of the couple involved remain unknown to this day. No public statements or interviews from them have ever surfaced, leaving many questions unanswered. While radio personality Johnjay Van Es humorously shared the video, initially joking it was him, he later clarified he was not the man in the footage. The enduring mystery only adds to the peculiar legacy of this unexpected viral moment, reminding everyone how quickly a private fetish can become a very public spectacle on the internet.
