Fake passenger in T2 lane results in $150 fine

A 24 year-old man has been given a $150 infringement offence notice, after his attempt to use a T2 lane with a mannequin as the front seat passenger failed.

At 7.55am yesterday morning, Waitemata Police were running a checkpoint and monitoring cars using the T2 lanes unlawfully at the Constellation Drive onramp in Mairangi Bay, when an officer spotted an unusual looking passenger in the front seat of a car using the T2.

Officers pulled the car over and found the passenger was a mannequin with a bandaged head and sunglasses.

"The driver was rather sheepish, apologised and said it was the first time he'd done it.

He was given an infringement notice for unauthorised use of a special vehicle lane" says Senior Sergeant Brett Henshaw, Waitemata Police.

Police receive numerous complaints from motorists about unauthorised use of the lanes and regularly conduct patrols of the lanes.

"Drivers who use lanes like this without having a bona-fide reason should be aware that we're regularly conducting patrols of them.

We often locate offenders in stolen cars, as well as disqualified and suspended drivers using these lanes, because these types of drivers engage in high-risk behaviour.

"No one enjoys sitting in traffic and we've all experienced the frustration of waiting your turn, only to see someone who is the sole occupant of their car sailing past in the T2 lane.

These lanes are there to reduce congestion on our motorways and only those who are genuinely entitled to do so should use them" says Snr Sgt Henshaw.

ENDS

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