A bagel can cost you big when you spread it at the wrong moment. In Queensland, Australia, a 29-year-old motorist was arrested after police caught him preparing a snack while driving with his knees. The price for this bagel behind the wheel was a A$1,104 fine, roughly €682. And a blunt reminder about the dangers of distracted driving.
The incident unfolded on Monday, September 7, on a roadway in Queensland. A patrol spotted a driver more focused on slathering a bagel than on keeping his hands on the wheel. The young man later tried to justify himself to the officers. “I know it was stupid, but I was hungry,” he admitted, according to Midi Libre. “I don’t understand how you could think that was a good idea,” he replied. It’s a moment that brings a smile, but also makes drivers rethink what they’re allowed to do behind the wheel.
Queensland: a bagel behind the wheel ends in a salty fine
The scene is visible in a video released by the police, who were following the vehicle in traffic. Instead of gripping the steering wheel firmly, the driver was driving with his knees and concentrating on his bagel. When the officers intercepted him, they also discovered that the car wasn’t registered. The 29-year-old received a hefty fine for this questionable bit of driving. His license was also hit with a 3-point deduction, as provided by local rules for careless or imprudent driving.
For the Darling Downs District Police, it wasn’t just a simple case of a misplaced sandwich. “Letting go of the wheel and diverting attention away from driving, even for something that might seem as harmless as fixing a meal, can have serious consequences,” said Kelly Hanlen, a spokesperson for the Darling Downs district police. “I want to remind motorists that no meal, message, or other distraction is worth risking their safety or that of other road users,” she added. A clear preventive message tucked behind a joke-worthy anecdote.
Driving with knees to spread a bagel: what does the law say in France?
In France, no text explicitly mentions eating behind the wheel or holding a sandwich while driving. Article R412-6 of the Code de la Route requires that the driver be able to execute immediately all necessary maneuvers. A motorist who drives with knees to spread a bagel could be cited for a lack of vehicle control. The sanction remains a second-class contravention: a €35 fine, €22 if paid promptly. In cases of increases, the fine can reach €75, or even €150.
Figures show that inattention at the wheel is today the third leading cause of fatal accidents in France. The National Gendarmerie recalls that using a phone behind the wheel triples the risk of an accident. Whether it’s a smartphone, a coffee cup, or a bagel, the effect on attention is the same. As soon as your hands leave the wheel, you lose a portion of your car’s control. It’s better to plan your snack and pull over to enjoy it, rather than imitate that Australian bagel-wielding driver who ended up with a pricey fine.
