A motorist has been fined and their vehicle prohibited from further use after a dangerous incident involving a heavily damaged Toyota on the M275 in Portsmouth.
The vehicle, which was reportedly being driven to a scrapyard, caused alarm when a piece of its arch lining flew off while on the motorway — narrowly missing a police motorcyclist riding nearby.
Hampshire Roads Policing Unit shared a photo of the battered Toyota on X (formerly Twitter), showing significant bodywork damage and highlighting the dangers of operating an unroadworthy vehicle on public roads.
Driving a vehicle in this condition is dangerous and reckless,” the force posted alongside the image, adding that the driver had been issued with a ticket and the vehicle had been prohibited from further travel.
The tweet, which has since gained widespread attention, has prompted online backlash, with users criticising the driver’s disregard for road safety.
No injuries were reported in the incident, but police say it serves as a stark reminder that vehicles must always be roadworthy, regardless of whether they are destined for scrap.
Road users are reminded that driving a vehicle in poor condition can lead to prosecution, fines, penalty points, or even imprisonment in serious cases — especially when it poses a danger to others.
Anyone who witnesses dangerous driving is encouraged to report it to police via 101 or the appropriate online reporting channels.
