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View Full Version : Man tries to drive 310 miles in reverse


johnnymk
10-09-2006, 06:57 AM
I couldn't get the link to work.


SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- A 22-year-old man attempted to drive 310 miles in reverse on a remote Outback highway after his transmission failed, blocking his forward gears, police said Friday. The man was stopped by Western Australia state police on Thursday afternoon after they spotted his car roaring in reverse down the highway at about 40 mph, according to a statement.

He was en route to the state capital, Perth, when his transmission failed outside a restaurant in the Outback town of Kalgoorlie, about 300 miles away, according to media reports.

Rather than call a mechanic, the man opted to continue driving, in reverse.

Police said they stopped the man, whose identity was not immediately released, outside the nearby town of Coolgardie, about 12 miles from where his backward journey began.

A breath test for alcohol proved negative, but the man was charged with reckless driving and other traffic offenses, police said. He was ordered to appear before the Coolgardie Magistrates Court on Monday.
MikeD
10-09-2006, 07:52 AM
Is it reckless driving to simply drive in reverse? I wonder if there are any laws on the books here in the U.S. about that...
gwilks98
10-09-2006, 09:14 AM
Is it reckless driving to simply drive in reverse? I wonder if there are any laws on the books here in the U.S. about that...

There are: Depending on state, it's generally limited to 150 feet, I think.
bachviet
10-09-2006, 09:39 AM
If you don't have front headlights and the brake lights point the right way, you are breaking the law.
KIISQueen
10-09-2006, 10:03 AM
He must be a moron
m5driven
10-09-2006, 10:12 AM
such a long distance in reverse... thats like from Los Angeles to Vegas @ 40mph that would take him some time, im sure he'd get bored and pull over haha, and wouldnt his neck hurt?
Markel
10-09-2006, 10:32 AM
...and wouldnt his neck hurt?
Hey, that's what rear-view mirrors for for! :P
gwilks98
10-09-2006, 10:56 AM
He must be a moron


No, cars in the southern hemisphere work backwards due to the coriolis effect, just like the toilets.
Hoser
10-09-2006, 11:56 AM
I don't think that I could drive in a straight line for a long distance going backwards.
DarkFury
10-10-2006, 05:56 AM
He must be a moron
Maybe he was a "Dukes of Hazzard" fan... :D

They used to do that some of the time on that show. :D
DarkFury
10-10-2006, 05:56 AM
Hey, that's what rear-view mirrors for for! :P
You got that quote from "Mater" din'ya? :heh:
mechmike0034
10-10-2006, 08:02 AM
How about a 1959 Chevy Bel-Air with the body mounted on the frame backwards...

I remember seeing a picture of it in one of the car magazines. It dates from the late '60s, and the car was driven regularly in the SF Bay Area.

Couldn't find it on Google Images...
Markel
10-10-2006, 08:16 AM
You got that quote from "Mater" din'ya? :heh:
Nope. Hadn't even heard of Mater until your post (but understand what you mean thanks to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mater).
MikeD
10-10-2006, 08:32 AM
No, cars in the southern hemisphere work backwards due to the coriolis effect, just like the toilets.

LOL.

Ehh, it's the "Corollas" effect, though. :hihi:
Markel
10-10-2006, 08:47 AM
Ehh, it's the "Corollas" effect, though. :hihi:
and it's supposed effect on toilets, drains, etc., is entirely mythical (http://www.snopes.com/science/coriolis.htm). :P
Memo
10-10-2006, 10:22 AM
I bet he could have made it, even 'rassled a few alligators and snakes on the way too.