A driver in Norfolk has been stopped by police because a sofa was hanging dangerously out of his car's boot.

The motorist was pulled over in Long Stratton after an officer spotted the two-seat leather couch being precariously transported in the back of a Toyota Celica.

All that held the sofa in place was a suitcase-like strap that officers said was "only partially holding the sofa."

A motorcycle-mounted police officer spied the red Toyota at around 3pm on Saturday, before pulling the vehicle over.

A traffic offence report notice was handed to the driver, who according to the police may face further action.

Norfolk and Suffolk's Roads Policing Unit tweeted a picture of the offending furniture item with the comment: "Did a double take on A140 today!

"A sofa in the back of a sport hatchback.

"More suitable vehicle or straps would be [a] better bet!"


Tips for carrying heavy loads
  • Don't carry items in or on your car that you cannot secure properly
  • Do not exceed the Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM)/Maximum Permitted Weight (MPW) for the car. This weight includes everything in the car: driver, passengers and any two-seat red sofas you might wish to transport
  • You may need to adjust your tyre pressure in order to deal with the additional load
  • Keep larger or heavier items lower down
  • Ensure the footwell is clear
  • Make sure your visibility is unaffected by any cargo you are transporting
  • If you don’t have enough space, consider investing in a roof rack or a roof box
  • Make sure you are prepared for a puncture; carry a spare tyre