A Mercedes driver in Australia picked a pretty bad spot to show off his driving skills Saturday night. A police patrol was traveling along the same street when he decided to make an illegal U-turn.
According to South Australia Police, the incident happened on October 10 in Adelaide. The patrol was heading south on King William Street when officers spotted the Mercedes-Benz sedan near Victoria Square.
The driver wasn’t making an ordinary turn, either. Police said the car drifted, lost control, and spun its wheels while making the U-turn.
Officers then stopped the Mercedes on Currie Street, where they identified the driver as a 21-year-old man from Sturt.
Police Found Another Problem During the Traffic Stop
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Officers stopped the car on Currie Street after watching the maneuver. The driver was a 21-year-old man from Sturt, according to the police report.
Unfortunately for him, the burnout wasn’t the only problem police found during the traffic stop.
The Driver Had a Blood Alcohol Reading of 0.061
Police said the driver recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.061, which was over the legal limit. He was issued an expiation notice for the alcohol offense.
The man was also reported for misuse of a motor vehicle. That wasn’t the end of his trouble with the Mercedes either.
The Mercedes Was Impounded for 28 Days
Police had the Mercedes towed from the scene to be impounded for 28 days. The driver will also be summoned to appear in court at a later date.
South Australia Police released the details on October 11 but did not provide a court date or identify the driver by name.
South Australia Has Laws Against Burnouts
South Australia has specific rules for drivers caught doing burnouts. Under the state’s Road Traffic Act, sustained wheelspin and excessive engine or tire noise that disturbs nearby residents or workers can count as misuse of a motor vehicle.
According to the Legal Services Commission of South Australia, someone found guilty of that offense can face a fine of up to A$2,500 and four demerit points.
Police can also impound vehicles involved in certain traffic offenses, including misuse of a motor vehicle. A driver doesn’t have to be arrested for that to happen, since the law allows police to impound vehicles when someone has been reported for a qualifying offense.