Carpool Lane Cheat's 'Most Interesting' Ruse
A driver's "most interesting" attempt to circumvent laws restricting the use of carpool lanes has failed to fool US police.
In a bid to put his own spin on an old trick, a Washington state man placed a cardboard cutout featuring the actor who portrays "The Most Interesting Man In The World" in his passenger seat.
But the oft-quoted Dos Equis beer mascot's face was all too recognisable for a passing state trooper, who stopped the vehicle.
The driver reportedly had a sense of humour about his famous passenger despite being ticketed for his ruse.
Trooper Guy Gill, who conducted the stop, told Seattle news station KOMO-TV the man smiled and said: "He's my best friend."
The trooper posted a photo of the cardboard passenger along with his smirking companion on Twitter.
"I don't always violate the HOV lane law...but when I do, I get a $124 ticket!" Trooper Gill wrote in a reference to the popular beer ads starring 76-year-old American actor Jonathan Goldsmith.
"We'll give him an A for creativity!" he added.
Trooper Gill told KOMO-TV that drivers have used cutouts and even sleeping bags to gain access to the two-plus occupancy lanes, but the "Most Interesting Man" prop was the best he has ever seen.
He said the driver was allowed to keep the cutout.
