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Police stop man driving homemade balsa wood car on busy motorway

‘Most unusual vehicle I’ve stopped...in my 26 years,’ police officer says

Zamira Rahim
Tuesday 20 August 2019 15:03 BST
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The vehicle has been deemed safe
The vehicle has been deemed safe

A man driving a homemade car constructed of a motorbike, plastic, fibreglass and balsa wood was pulled over by startled police on the UK's busiest motorway.

A police officer from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH) Roads Policing Unit posted a photograph of the unusual three-wheeled vehicle spotted travelling along the M25 on Sunday.

“The most unusual vehicle I’ve stopped on a motorway in my 26 years! All checked and in order, although still not convinced I know what it is,” the officer said on Twitter.

Another officer added: “My colleague stopped this homemade electric motorcycle on the M25 this evening.

“Made from bits of balsa wood and [duct] tape...#unbelievable.”

The vehicle is registered as a motorbike surrounded by a shell, which is made mostly out of fibreglass and plastic.

But despite their apparent scepticism, officers found that the vehicle was approved and registered by the DVLA.

“[It] was deemed legal and road safe,” a Bedfordshire Police spokesperson said.

“The vehicle was also up to date with its insurance, tax and MOT.”

Sergeant Stephen Andrews, from the BCH Roads Policing Unit, said: “This is certainly not a vehicle that is seen very often on our roads but after roadside inspection we couldn’t find anything that would prevent the rider to continue his journey.

“The vehicle was keeping up with other traffic and didn’t cause any obstruction to other road users.

“The owner made sure that he fulfilled all the safety regulation as well as keeping the insurance, MOT and tax in date.”

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Social media users appeared less convinced.

“I wouldn’t be driving that thing on a motorway,” commented Paul Wilson.

“Looks like a deathtrap!”

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