Alex Cracknell

Legal

"Bewildering" Titanic stunt on freeway hits an iceberg of fines

"Bewildering" Titanic stunt on freeway hits an iceberg of fines

A car passenger and driver in Victoria’s alpine region have been fined around $1200 and slapped with three demerit points for recreating one of cinema’s most iconic – and, as it turns out, most impractical –  moments.

The incident unfolded on Mount Buller Road in Merrijig, where highway patrol officers conducting routine speed checks witnessed a scene straight out of Titanic – minus the ocean, romance and, thankfully, icebergs. A Jeep allegedly hurtled along at 100km/h while a woman stood tall through its sunroof, arms flung wide in the classic “I’m flying” pose. Because nothing says I'm the king of the world like risking your head on a country road.

“Her arms were spread wide in the air as the Jeep was travelling,” Victoria Police reported, as they no doubt resisted the urge to cue Celine Dion’s greatest hit over the radio.

But if the woman was hoping to channel Jack and Rose, the only heart that went on belonged to the officer who wrote up the fine. According to police, while Titanic references “immediately came to mind”, they “couldn’t hear a cry of ‘I’m the King of The World’ and instead believed the passenger likely had some other words” when she realised she was pulling the stunt right past a fully marked police car.

In a statement that proved the force’s sense of humour was unsinkable, Victoria Police confirmed:

“Near, far, wherever you are… police are out and about on the roads. The vehicle was intercepted and officers were quick to draw up some fines like one of those French girls.”

The passenger received a $600 slap on the wrist for her starring role, while the driver, who apparently thought this was a great idea, scored a matching $600 in fines and three demerit points for aiding and abetting the floating fantasy.

Police reminded the public that, while Titanic may have had a tragic ending, this roadside reenactment could have gone just as badly – without the benefit of a box-office record or Academy Awards to show for it.

So next time you’re tempted to turn your Jeep into the RMS Titanic, remember: the only thing that’ll be going down is your bank balance.

Images: Victoria Police

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