Police Fine Man For Riding A Motorised Esky Through Dubbo
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When it's a hot day in Australia, many will head to a park, beach, or house with an esky full of drinks and enjoy the sun. However, sometimes the simple task of transporting the esky can be a heavy burden or even a two-man job.
Well, genius inventions usually come when a person looks at a situation and tries to improve it somehow. Unfortunately for one man in rural New South Wales, his incredible creation wasn't exactly within the confines of the law.
A 21-year-old man has received several Court Attendance Notices for a variety of traffic-related offences after being caught driving his motorised esky through the streets of Dubbo.
If that isn't the most Australian thing ever, then I don't know what is.
It would be the perfect tool to help you get your cold drinks or food from one point to another, and it doesn't even have the hassle of carrying it. The pictures have been uploaded to the New South Wales Traffic and Highway Patrol Command's Facebook page, with hundreds of people liking and sharing the post.
One person commented, saying: "Giving someone a fine for riding this is just unAustralian."
Another added: "I hope they are joking. The only fine I would give is for creativity. Aussie Aussie Aussie."
But unfortunately, this 21-year-old can't claim to be the official creator of the motorised esky as you can pick up a pretty sturdy version on eBay for around $550. This one comes with a 49cc four stroke petrol engine and has a maximum speed of 25km/h. Impressively, it can hold 48 litres of whatever you want inside the actual esky, and can support anyone under 100 kilograms.
But anyone who purchases one of these incredible machines needs to be aware that they're intended as an 'off-road' vehicle, and shouldn't be driven on normal roads. That also means that if you're caught driving one on a road, then you're also at the mercy of normal road rules.
Credit: eBay
James Wallace found that out the hard way when he was charged with high-range drink driving on Australia Day this year. The 21-year-old was allegedly driving a motorised esky in Camden, Sydney, when police pulled him over and breathalysed him. He ended up being three times the legal alcohol limit, but was also charged with driving and using and unregistered and uninsured vehicle.
Camden Police said to regular folk, the esky can be a bit of fun, but because it's so small, other motorists might not see it in their mirrors, which could lead to a devastating outcome.
Magistrate Michael Stoddart told the young man: "This was at 7pm at night in the centre of town, with lots of people around. You were putting yourself and the lives of others at risk and you ought to know better. You might have thought it was a bit of fun, but how did you think travelling on the road affected by alcohol was a good idea?
"A conviction is appropriate to deter people from copying such ridiculous and inappropriate behaviour."
Wallace pleaded guilty and was fined $1,000. He also had his licence suspended for six months.
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