TL;DR
Steve Braithwaite, driver of the 23-foot Big Banana Car, claims Montana police pulled him over again, continuing a 15-year pattern of frequent stops. This highlights the attention his giant vehicle attracts.
Montana police pulled over Steve Braithwaite’s 23-foot-long Big Banana Car on Wednesday afternoon, marking yet another stop in a 15-year history of frequent police encounters. Braithwaite, who has driven the vehicle across the country, says he has been stopped hundreds of times, often for reasons related to his vehicle’s size and appearance. This latest incident underscores the ongoing attention his whimsical vehicle continues to attract from law enforcement and the public alike.
Steve Braithwaite, owner and driver of the Big Banana Car, reported that a Montana police officer stopped him Wednesday afternoon while he was driving through Billings. Braithwaite stated that police cited an issue with his license plate but ultimately did not issue a ticket. He added that he has been pulled over numerous times across the United States over the past 15 years, totaling more than 250,000 miles driven in the vehicle.
Braithwaite explained that law enforcement often pulls him over simply because of the vehicle’s size and novelty appearance. He recounted that his frequent stops include friendly conversations, photos, and sometimes officers inventing humorous reasons for the stops. His most memorable stop was in West Virginia, where an officer jokingly accused him of ‘peeling out’ at a red light, a comment Braithwaite found amusing.
Despite the frequent police interactions, Braithwaite reports that he has never received a ticket related to his vehicle. He built the Big Banana Car in 2008 after being inspired by a banana in a gas station and has since used it as a mobile community engagement tool, offering rides and participating in events across the country.
Why Frequent Police Stops Matter for Public Interest
This ongoing pattern of police stops highlights how novelty vehicles like Braithwaite’s can attract law enforcement attention, raising questions about traffic stop practices and vehicle regulations. It also illustrates the cultural fascination with whimsical, custom-built vehicles and their role in community engagement. For Braithwaite, these stops have become part of his journey, emphasizing the intersection of creativity, law enforcement, and public curiosity.
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History of the Big Banana Car and Its Cultural Impact
Steve Braithwaite built the Big Banana Car in 2008 after being inspired by a banana at a gas station. Originally a novelty project, it became his daily driver, traveling over 250,000 miles. Over the years, the vehicle has appeared at community events, parades, and media appearances, turning into a symbol of whimsy and creative expression.
Throughout its history, the car has attracted police attention in various states, often for minor issues like license plates or size. Braithwaite’s encounters with law enforcement have become part of the vehicle’s story, with many stops ending in friendly conversations or humorous exchanges. His travels have taken him across the U.S., including a recent trip into Mexico, where he was pulled over five times in three days but reports all interactions were amicable.
“I knew they were going to loop around and pull me over. After 15 years and hundreds of stops, I just expect it now.”
— Steve Braithwaite
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Unclear Details About Montana Police Stop
While Braithwaite reports being pulled over and cites a license plate issue, it is not yet confirmed what specific reasons Montana police cited or if any formal citation was issued. The details of the police interaction remain limited at this stage.
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Upcoming Cross-Country Plans and Future Encounters
Braithwaite plans to continue his travels across the U.S., with upcoming stops in other states. He also aims to challenge the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile to a race and hopes to document more police encounters, emphasizing the friendly nature of his interactions. His broader goal is to keep sharing his whimsical vehicle and its story with wider audiences.
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Key Questions
Why does the Big Banana Car attract so much police attention?
The vehicle’s large size, unusual design, and novelty appearance make it stand out on the road, often prompting law enforcement to stop it for minor issues or curiosity.
Has Braithwaite ever received a ticket for driving the Big Banana Car?
No, Braithwaite reports that he has never been issued a ticket related to his vehicle despite frequent stops.
What is Braithwaite’s purpose for driving the Big Banana Car?
He uses the vehicle for community engagement, offering rides, participating in events, and spreading joy through his whimsical creation.
Will Braithwaite keep driving the Big Banana Car across the country?
Yes, he plans to continue his travels, aiming to visit more states and participate in future events and challenges.
What are Braithwaite’s future plans involving the vehicle?
He hopes to challenge the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile to a race and expand his travels, sharing his story and vehicle with more communities.
Source: Hacker News
