Police have laid charges and issued thousands of dollars worth of fines, after footage was posted to social media of a clown car doing dangerous stunts on a Sunshine Coast road.
Videos show the heavily-modified vehicle performing burnouts, front wheel stands, and a tug of war with a group of men holding a snatch strap on Old Roys Road at Beerwah.
In one incident the car crashed down an embankment.
Senior Constable Darryl Campbell says the vehicle, bought online, used to be used at a circus.
“It is mechanically defective, in a way where it’s centre of balance is thrown off to enable it to do front wheelies.
“Grossly defective, very dangerous to be on the road; it’s unregistered, it’s uninsured and it’s unroadworthy.”
“These sort of antics are just childish, they’re idiotic, they’re just dangerous and placing everyone in harm’s way.
“There were spectators placed around the finish line at this point, where the vehicle’s losing control and in many cases placing these spectators at risk.”
Police launched an investigation into the man’s online activity after the footage was posted to various social media channels.
On September 30, officers carried out a search warrant at an Image Flat property, seizing multiple items.
Police, with the assistance of the Department of Transport and Main Roads, also inspected a number of vehicles at the address which were subsequently grounded for allegedly being grossly defective and non-compliant.
The clown car along with another vehicle were seized by police.
A 29-year-old Image Flat man was arrested at the residence and charged with eleven offences including dangerous driving.
He was bailed to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on December 12.
Highway Patrol investigators then attended several addresses of people who allegedly appeared in and contributed to the videos. Nine alleged participants have been issued with 70 Traffic Infringement Notices, with a combined total of 99 associated demerit points.
Investigations are continuing with further TINs likely to be issued and additional offences detected. To date, the cost of TINs issued totals $27,800.
Sunshine Coast district superintendent Craig Hawkins says police will not turn a blind eye to someone blatantly flouting the law.
“Putting not only your own life at risk but those of your mates for the sake of social media notoriety is childish and selfish behaviour,” Superintendent Hawkins says.
“Sharing these antics with his large contingent of online followers has come at a significant financial cost, both in fines and the loss of vehicles,” he says.
“Our message to anyone taking part in foolish and high-risk activities or thinking you can push modified, unsafe vehicles to the limit is that we will continue to target you, investigate and take action.”
