One Aussie truck driver's illegal highway antics raises eyebrows

The highways around Melbourne are no strangers to the hustle and bustle of heavy traffic, but recently, they became the stage for a scene straight out of a dystopian film.

A truck driver was caught on camera with a modification to their vehicle that left fellow motorists in disbelief and concern.

The spike modifications protruding from the truck's front wheel rims are reminiscent of a vehicle you might find in the Mad Max franchise rather than on a busy motorway.


The footage, which quickly made its way onto social media platforms including Reddit, was aptly titled 'What a knob' and has since sparked a wave of shock and criticism from the online community.

Victoria Police have confirmed that the truck's modifications are not just shocking but also illegal, and they are actively pursuing inquiries about the truck in question.


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Footage of a truck with illegal modifications, including spikes on wheel rims, has been shared on social media. Credit: Reddit


Under VicRoads's stringent vehicle standards, it is unlawful for any part of a vehicle's wheels or tyres to extend beyond the width of the mudguards when viewed from above.

This rule ensures the safety of all road users by preventing dangerous protrusions that could cause harm in the event of a collision or even a close pass.

The original poster highlighted the potential danger posed by the spiked wheels, noting, ‘This was slightly higher than the sill on an ordinary road car, so would slice right through a car door into your kids' hip.’


The sarcastic undertone of their comment, 'Seems like a great idea,' underlines the absurdity and recklessness of such a modification.

Social media users were quick to condemn the illegal alterations, with many pointing out the apparent violation of Victoria's road safety regulations.

‘No part of the rotating wheel can extend past the guard when wheels are pointed straight ahead.’ one wrote.

Other comments ranged from the factual, such as 'Absolutely not legal in Victoria,' to the humorous, with one person quipping that such modifications would only be 'Legal on a Roman chariot at the Colosseum.'


The debate on social media also touched on the quality of the modifications.

Some users noted that the spikes were poorly made and could easily detach, posing a further hazard to other vehicles if their tyres were to run over them.

Others speculated that the spikes might be made of plastic, which, while potentially less dangerous, still contravenes road safety laws.

The incident has drawn comparisons to the Mad Max movies, with some users joking about the truck's resemblance to the outlandish vehicles featured in the iconic Australian film series.

‘Stop trying to make Mad Max a thing,’ one viewer remarked.

Mad Max: West Gate Bridge.’ another added.

‘I live where they shot Mad Max. I drive over the hill from the movie every day. I would laugh if I saw anything like this on there,' a third commented.
Key Takeaways

  • Shocking footage has been shared on social media of a truck on a Melbourne highway with illegal modifications, including spikes on wheel rims.
  • Victoria Police confirmed the truck's modifications are illegal and are following up on inquiries.
  • Under VicRoads vehicle standards, any part of the wheel protruding beyond the mudguard is not permitted when viewed from above.
  • Social media users were horrified by the dangerous modification, many likening it to something from a Mad Max film.
Have you ever encountered any bizarre or illegal vehicle modifications during your travels? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.
 
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