And Now For The Ultimate In Distracted Driving

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

Police in Friedrichsthal, Germany, nabbed the man who owns this office-on-wheels: A laptop, a printer, a voltage converter, two mobile phones, a navigation system, a GPS receiver, and many empty water bottles.

The man was caught for speeding, writes Der Spiegel. No one could prove that he actually was multitasking while driving. Result: A 120 eur ($152) ticket for speeding and “driving with unsecured cargo.”

Come to think of it, some U.S. police cruisers are similarly equipped.

The multitasker’s car is a Ford Mondeo.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Colinshark Colinshark on Nov 13, 2012

    At first I thought that was a testing mule. They are crapped out like that, too.

  • ELnNH ELnNH on Nov 13, 2012

    Poor bugger .....just trying to make a living..ya know actually working for it....rather than mockery I feel compassion for the guy. That $152 fine is probably going to hurt plenty..

  • Markholli Markholli on Nov 13, 2012

    I think it's funny that he got a ticket for unsecured cargo. That must not be a ticketable offense in the U.S. because I see "hoarder-mobiles" all the time (usually in Walmart parking lots) literally loaded from floor pan to headliner with crap. It's often old newspapers, fast food wrappers and cups, old electronics, cat towers, etc. The owner will leave just enough space to get in and out of the car, and will maintain a minimal sightline by not piling garbage above chest height. Nasty.

  • 50merc 50merc on Nov 13, 2012

    German productivity can't be beat!

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