Driving for dummies: Driver caught using fake passenger in pooling lanes

The dummy didn't convince officers, and the mannequin wasn't much help either. Photo / NZ police

A driver was caught by police using a mannequin as a passenger to make use of the T2 lane at an Auckland motorway on-ramp.

Police were running a checkpoint using the T2 lane at 7.55am yesterday at Constellation Drive Northern Motorway on-ramp when an officer spotted an unusual looking passenger in the front seat.

The passenger turned out to be a mannequin with a bandaged head and sunglasses on its face.

Senior Sergeant Brett Henshaw said the 24-year-old man was given a $150 infringement offence notice.

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

"He was given an infringement notice for unauthorised use of a special vehicle lane."

A motorist constructed a fake passenger using a spare jacket, hat and wig in an attempt to fool authorities last year.

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

"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."