Saturday, October 07, 2006

Backward Aussie

A man has been charged over reversing his car at speed on a West Australian highway.

Traffic police were surprised to clock the 22-year-old's car travelling at just 56km/h (35 mph) in a 110km/h zone yesterday on the Great Eastern Highway outside Coolgardie, 546km east of Perth.

But the reason became clear as the car got closer and police discovered it was being driven in reverse, Acting Sergeant Cameron Hart said today.

When police pulled the man over he allegedly explained he had "cooked" the gear box of his 1988 Ford LTD at Bullabulling roadhouse, about 40km from Coolgardie.

He told police the only gear still working was reverse but he decided to continue on.

The man also allegedly told police he had driven 20km in reverse at speeds of up to 80km/h but had been forced to slow down because he kept swerving across the road.

Police charged him with reckless driving and driving without a licence. He will appear in the Coolgardie Magistrates Court on Monday.

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