Disabled New Zealander uses walking stick to drive car

Wellington - New Zealand police said they were shocked to find a disabled man using a shortened walking stick to drive through the largest city of Auckland on Wednesday.

He was using the stick to operate the brake and accelerator pedals, police said.

The 32-year-old, who cannot use his legs, has a condition on his driver's licence allowing him only to drive vehicles fitted with hand-held controls.

"Needless to say this was a very surprising thing to come across and we are shocked at his blatant disregard for his own safety and the safety of other road users," Sergeant Mark Fleming of the Counties Manukau Road Policing Unit said.

"It would be impossible to safely control a vehicle in this way."

Police said the man had two passengers in the vehicle with him, neither of whom were licensed to drive.

The man, who has not commented publicly on the incident, has been charged with dangerous driving, and is due to appear in court next month, the Stuff website said.