Aussie woman's $600 fine after breaking road rules at tourist hotspot

Yahoo

24-06-2025

A car passenger in the country's southeast has been fined $600 after taking part in a dangerous stunt inspired by an iconic scene from the blockbuster film Titanic.
The incident occurred on Mount Buller Road in Merrijig, Victoria, a popular tourist route in the state's alpine region, and has prompted police to urge motorists to use common sense and prioritise safety.
Highway patrol officers were conducting routine speed checks in the area when they spotted a Jeep allegedly travelling at 100km/h with a woman standing upright through the vehicle's open sunroof.
According to police, the woman had her arms spread wide in a dramatic pose that appeared to mimic the famous "I'm flying" moment from the Titanic film — a move that might look cinematic on screen but is incredibly reckless in real life, they warned. "Her arms were spread wide in the air as the Jeep was travelling," Victoria Police said.
Police said "although the Titanic references immediately came to mind", they "couldn't hear a cry of 'I'm the King of The World' and instead believed the passenger likely had some other words" when she realised she had performed the stunt while passing a fully marked police car.
"Near, far, wherever you are… police are out and about on the roads," police said.
Officers quickly intercepted the vehicle and pulled it over. Both the passenger and the driver were issued fines totalling nearly $1,200. The woman, who was not restrained and was exposed while the vehicle was in motion, received a fine of nearly $600. The driver, who allowed the dangerous behaviour to take place, was also fined close to $600 and incurred three demerit points on their licence.
"Officers were quick to draw up some fines like one of those French girls," police said, warning that such behaviour posed a serious risk not only to the individuals involved but also to other motorists.
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Authorities are continuing to crack down on risky driving behaviour amid a concerning rise in road trauma across the state. This incident serves as a stark reminder that the road is no place for theatrics — and that the consequences of such stunts are far from entertaining.
"Everyone knows how things ended for Jack Dawson, and all jokes aside, this had the potential to end just as badly," police added.
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