Why Louisiana Jeeps Have Rubber Ducks on Their Dashboard

Lafayette, La (KMDL) - Certainly driving around Lafayette and Acadiana you've noticed that most of the Jeeps you see have a dashboard full of rubber ducks.

If you're like me you've probably wondered why.

Well, wonder no more. Here's why you see Jeeps all over Louisiana with dashboards full of rubber ducks.

The Louisiana Jeep Community Is Close-Knit

When it comes to a lot of things Jeep owners do, if you know you know.

That's because Jeep owners, or Jeepers are a really tight group.

Here in Acadiana, you definitely have heard of the Jeep Jaunt.

The annual Jeepers event would see hundreds and hundreds of Jeep owners come together for a day of community.

There's also Louisiana Jeepers, a State wide community of Jeep owners.

From louisianajeepers.com -

"Louisiana Jeepers is a non-profit club which raises funds for local deserving charities throughout the year.

We are a family-friendly club., that is organized to bring family and friends together, and is comprised of hundreds of Jeep-loving members and their families!

Anyone with a jeep vehicle is eligible for membership, with no modifications being required."

Why People Put Rubber Ducks On Jeeps

You've noticed Jeeps around Louisiana with multiple rubber ducks on the dashboard.

It's called "Jeep Ducking" or "Duck Duck Jeep".

The trend is attributed to Canadian born and former Alabama resident Allison Parliament.

Back in 2020 during the pandemic, Allison was back in Canada and had bought a bag of rubber ducks that she was going to hide at a friend's house.

While stopping for gas Allison was yelled at by a stranger for not observing health protocols, she says because of her American license plate.

That rude act lead to an act of kindness that eventually lead to a U.S.-wide phenomenon.

From wikipedia.com -

"After having been yelled at at a gas station for allegedly not observing health protocols and because of her American license plate, she stated she felt inspired to leave one of the ducks on a Jeep in a store parking lot with a simple note stating "nice Jeep" as an act of kindness.

The owner of the vehicle saw Parliament commit the action of ducking, and suggested making a social media post. The post went viral, which then popularized the action."

Allison Parliament sadly passed away in 2024 of natural causes.

 How Does Jeep Ducking Work?

The way Jeep Ducking or Duck Duck Jeep works is, when Jeep owners spot another Jeep they like, they leave a rubber duck on the vehicle for the owner as a way to say "Nice Jeep".

The Jeep community has grown so large you'll find local Facebook groups for the community from cities all across the U.S. with 10s of thousands of members, in some cases hundreds of thousands members.

When you see a Jeep with a lot of ducks on the dash, that means other Jeepers really like their Jeep.

So there you go, this is why you're seeing rubber ducks all over Jeep owner's dashboards.

Do you driver a Jeep? Do you Duck?

Let us know!