Washington state officials were left in complete awe earlier today when a driver was caught on the high-occupancy vehicle lanes of a highway, traveling with a passenger who turned out to be none other than a Halloween mask!
According to sources, the Washington state patrol stopped the driver after noticing the particular mask wearing passenger in the car, and on further inspection revealed that the driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle. It was then that the patrol officers lost their cool and began to question the driver’s intentions for having a plastic Halloween mask as their only companionship on their journey.
In a blatant disregard for all traffic regulations and common sense, the driver remained adamant that the Halloween mask was indeed a legitimate passenger, insisting that they were on their way to a costume party without realizing the consequences of their actions.
Despite what some may say is clear evidence of a wrongdoing, the driver’s response to the situation was met with a leniency from state officials, leaving many in the state outraged and confused. The Washington State Patrol feigned disappointment at not being able to punish the driver, but many questioned whether such an act should go unpunished at all.
It is unclear as to whether the Halloween mask had a proper seatbelt fastened, and if this was in fact a disregard for the safety of not just the mask, but other drivers on the highways. We reached out to the Department of Transportation for comment and they assured us that “they will be keeping a close eye on the driver’s future driving habits.”
The ordeal has sparked nationwide outrage, with many taking to social media to express their disbelief and disappointment in the driver’s actions.
“Can they really consider a Halloween mask a legitimate passenger? This is a complete disregard for the safety of others on the roads,” wrote a user on Twitter. “This driver should have been punished for their actions, not pardoned!”
Another tweet read, “We’re going to pretend like this is normal? What’s next, drivers with stuffed animals as their passengers?!”
It is not just the public who are concerned. Law enforcement officials have also expressed their worry over the increasing incidences of such cases on the roads. They believe it sets a dangerous precedent and could lead to similar cases of people disregarding basic safety measures whilst driving.
The matter of the Halloween mask passenger will undoubtedly be a point of discussion amongst state officials for weeks to come. However, there is a general feeling that the driver should have been held accountable for their actions, and should receive some form of punishment to deter others from following in their footsteps.
It is a constant reminder that whilst it might appear humorous to skirt basic traffic laws, it is not only foolish but can also lead to serious and dangerous consequences. The Washington State Patrol has asked all drivers to think about the safety of others on the roads and to act accordingly, not be swayed by the temptation of companionship, regardless of how plastic or non-human they may be.
