What a balloon! Driver careers along motorway at 70mph with airbags inflated for 15 miles
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What a balloon! Driver races along the highway at 70 mph with inflated airbags for 15 miles
- The driver of the black Peugeot now faces trial for reckless driving
- Police said he drifted between lanes on the M40 with his airbags deployed.
A car driver was called a “right balloon” today after he raced more than 15 miles along a freeway at 70 mph with his airbags inflated.
Police said it was surprising that he did not crash and kill someone, as he could barely see or move behind the bags.
The driver of the black Peugeot now faces prosecution for dangerous driving after police stopped the battered car.
Thames Valley Police said he drifted between lanes on the M40 for more than 15 miles with his airbags deployed.
The car bounced at least four times on the central reserve between Warwickshire and Bicester.
The driver of the black Peugeot is now facing trial for dangerous driving after police stopped the battered car.
Traffic police, alerted by terrified motorists, caught up with the car, which had a missing rear window and a ‘distinct’ missing tire on the rim, at 6:15am.
They said the driver passed drug and field impairment tests but now faces prosecution for dangerous driving and likely other offenses as well.
A police spokesman said: “The risk posed to the public by this driver swerving down the motorway for more than 15 miles in this condition was substantial.”
“Fatigue is not a defense and the prolonged nature of this driving pattern makes it dangerous.
“He passed our tests and showed he was not under the influence and there are no medical concerns.”
In the image: Airbags (File photo). Thames Valley Police said the driver drifted between lanes on the M40 for more than 15 miles with his airbags deployed.
In June, a gas engineer was banned from driving after his company car called 999 when he crashed while drunk and its airbags inflated.
Alan McShane, 37, had been out to watch a football game in May when he hit a curb on his way home.
The crash activated the airbags in his electric Mercedes EQC 4×4, automatically alerting emergency services, a court heard.
Michael Henderson, defending, said his client recalled hearing a voice, which was part of the security system, asking him if he was okay.
Tests revealed that McShane had a blood alcohol level of 110 micrograms of alcohol per 100 ml of breath, more than triple the legal limit of 35 micrograms.