Mad Max copycat prompts warning against motorists with illegal car modifications

Mad Max copycat prompts warning against motorists with illegal car modifications

Law enforcement have issued a warning to motorists all through Queensland immediately after a post-apocalyptic-styled car or truck was witnessed driving all-around central areas of the condition. 

The supercharged, V8-driven black Ford Falcon Pursuit Special is a signature vehicle of the Mad Max movies, established in a dystopian Australia.

A motorist from the Northern Territory took it on by themselves to modify their very own Ford Falcon XC to seem like the iconic motor vehicle.

Senior Sergeant Shaune English, officer in charge of the Calliope Freeway Patrol team in the Gladstone location, reported police were not too long ago on patrol when they noticed the vehicle.

“They saw the motor vehicle go earlier and it caught their attention,” he mentioned.

But there was no Mad Max-design chase, with law enforcement catching up to the car or truck after the driver experienced pulled up for a refreshment.

“It was a pretty great-looking automobile,” Senior Sergeant English claimed.

A leather-clad Mel Gibson stands on a desolate, outback road.
Mad Max was Mel Gibson’s breakout part. (Supplied: MGM Studios)

Senior Sergeant English explained the automobile had factors sticking out through the bonnet, which posed a “genuine chance” to pedestrians.

“Most cars are really made that in the celebration of a low-speed pedestrian crash the pedestrian in fact goes up in excess of the bonnet,” he stated.

“It also experienced exhaust hanging out the side of the motor vehicle, which once again, exhaust pipes get scorching. If anyone brushes past that’s a chance to folks as effectively.”

A blue police light on a car dashboard
The car or truck contained an illegal rotating blue mild, which only unexpected emergency products and services are permitted to use. (Equipped: Queensland Police Service)

The car also allegedly had an unlawful rotating blue mild within it, similar to a police gentle.

Senior Sergeant English said the driver was fined for driving a faulty car or truck and sent to get a roadworthy certification.

What makes a vehicle unroadworthy?

In accordance to Queensland’s Office of Transport and Major Roadways, roadworthy specifications rely on the modification and personal conditions.

“Auto requirements are in location to be certain any modified car continues to be harmless for use on the highway,” a spokesperson for the department reported.

“A automobile will be considered unroadworthy if it is modified in a way that is not authorised or certified. 

“The Queensland Street Vehicle Modification (QRVM) Handbook sets out the acceptance and certification demands for modifications to light vehicles — gross car or truck mass of not a lot more than 4.5 tonnes.

Part of an engine sticking out of a car bonnet
It is unlawful for things to protrude from bonnets as they can pose a danger to pedestrians in a minimal-pace crash.(Supplied: Queensland Law enforcement Service)

In Queensland, motorists who are caught driving a car not in a protected condition could be fined $275 and lose a few demerit factors.

4WDs widespread in modification circumstances

Senior Sergeant English said law enforcement in central Queensland usually came throughout four-wheel-drives with modifications designed to them.

“Persons modify them to go bush-bashing and up and down the sand,” he stated.

“They elevate them and put big tyres on them. 

“But they increase them as well high which impacts the security, and they set huge, chunky tyres on that protrude outdoors the body of the vehicle which is just not authorized both.”

He mentioned the finest information he had was for people to use professional companies when creating modifications to their vehicles.

“Or if you are doing it you, talk to someone who really does roadworthy inspections or places like your four-wheel-drive stores that do these modifications all the time,” he claimed.