Watch: Car reverses on busy Auckland motorway after missing exit
Dashcam footage has caught the moment a car’s driver stopped on a busy Auckland motorway junction before reversing towards a missed exit.
Police have reminded motorists that this behaviour is illegal and urge drivers to accept delays so that others stay safe on the motorway network.
Footage of the incident, which occurred at 6.19pm last Thursday, was supplied to the Herald by a passing motorist.
As they travelled northbound on the Southern Motorway before entering Spaghetti Junction, the motorist spotted a halted vehicle where the road splits off to State Highway 16.
“At the beginning, I just thought the car had broken down, but when I got closer it started to reverse.
“That shocked me. I slowed down and just drove past it carefully.”
Because of the deepening nightfall, the motorist said they couldn’t identify the car’s make or read its plate number.
Dashcam footage captured a driver attempting to reverse on Auckland's Southern Motorway after missing an exit.
“I didn’t call police ... I just reviewed the footage afterwards and thought, ‘That’s quite dangerous’.”
Police confirmed no reports had been received about the incident.
However, Auckland motorways manager Senior Sergeant Bill Russell told the Herald it’s better to arrive late than not at all.
“Police would like to remind people that reversing on the motorways is illegal and subject to a fine of $150,” he said.
“If you miss your lane change or off ramp, continue onwards and make your turn elsewhere when it is safe to do so.”
Russell noted that police respond to “hundreds” of crashes on the motorway network annually.
“Motorists are advised to plan their journey well ahead and use navigational devices if they need to.
“Our view is that it is better to arrive late, than not at all.”
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