Barbie
04-08-2003, 08:12 PM
Japanese man makes first freeway journey memorable by driving wrong way
THIS IS FUN??? (http://www.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2003/04/07/59978-ap.html)
TOKYO (AP) - An elderly Japanese man taking the freeway for the first time made it a trip to remember when he drove his pickup into oncoming traffic for 25 kilometres, ignoring patrol cars in pursuit and sideswiping a vehicle, police said Tuesday.
The incident Monday was first reported by a motorist who said he saw the pickup truck heading the wrong way down the three-lane Kanetsu Expressway north of Tokyo.
The driver, 76, didn't respond to patrol cars signaling him to pull over and brushed the corner of one oncoming vehicle as he drove at about 80 kilometers per hour (60 miles per hour), said a spokesman for the Gunma prefectural (state) highway police on condition of anonymity.
The driver told police he had been driving for 40 years but was taking the freeway for the first time, to visit relatives. He said he made a u-turn after missing his turnoff and didn't initially realize his mistake or notice the police cars following him.
He was fined 9,000 yen (US$75).
THIS IS FUN??? (http://www.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2003/04/07/59978-ap.html)
TOKYO (AP) - An elderly Japanese man taking the freeway for the first time made it a trip to remember when he drove his pickup into oncoming traffic for 25 kilometres, ignoring patrol cars in pursuit and sideswiping a vehicle, police said Tuesday.
The incident Monday was first reported by a motorist who said he saw the pickup truck heading the wrong way down the three-lane Kanetsu Expressway north of Tokyo.
The driver, 76, didn't respond to patrol cars signaling him to pull over and brushed the corner of one oncoming vehicle as he drove at about 80 kilometers per hour (60 miles per hour), said a spokesman for the Gunma prefectural (state) highway police on condition of anonymity.
The driver told police he had been driving for 40 years but was taking the freeway for the first time, to visit relatives. He said he made a u-turn after missing his turnoff and didn't initially realize his mistake or notice the police cars following him.
He was fined 9,000 yen (US$75).