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Not sofast — Finnish police issue warning after stopping youth's 'scooter sofa'

The improvised vehicle posed a danger to the driver, passenger and other road users, police said.

Photo shows a sofa and scooter combined.
The sofa and scooter combination was stopped by police in Kaarina, near Turku. Image: Lounais-Suomen poliisilaitos
  • Yle News

Traffic police in southwest Finland spotted an unusual vehicle on roads in the town of Kaarina on Monday, and pulled the driver over for questioning.

The vehicle in question was an electric scooter fitted to a sofa, which was so wide it was deemed a potential hazard to other motorists and pedestrians.

Police were unwilling to give more details about the incident as the driver of the improvised vehicle is under 18 years old.

However, on a general level, Southwest Finland Police spokesperson Katri Tammio told Yle that driving a vehicle that violates safety regulations can lead to a fine.

Tammio added that the police were first notified about the 'scooter sofa' last year, when the driver was apparently accompanied by a passenger.

"Although this self-built means of transport wasn't going fast, it can be extremely dangerous to the driver, passenger and other road users, and does not meet any safety requirements," Southwest Finland Police warned on social media.

Tammio further noted that transporting large items on an electric scooter can also result in fines if it is deemed that the vehicle is not under control.

As a point of reference, the maximum width of a multi-wheeled bicycle is 1.25 meters, as per Finland's Road Traffic Act.

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