Outback trip in reverse stuns police

Police say they were astounded at the actions of a man they say was trying to drive from Kalgoorlie, in south-eastern Western Australia, to Perth, in reverse.

Police from Perth's specialist traffic enforcement group were just outside Coolgardie, 50 kilometres west of Kalgoorlie, yesterday afternoon when they say they saw a car coming over a hill very slowly.

Officers pulled him over and allege the 23-year-old Perth man told them his transmission had failed so he was driving the 500 kilometres in reverse.

It is alleged he told officers he had reached speeds of 80 kilometres an hour but had had to slow down to 65 kph because he was swerving too much.

He was charged with reckless driving and is due to appear in Coolgardie court on Monday.