A traffic dispute in Budapest reportedly escalated into a chaotic confrontation after a woman drove for more than 100 metres with a taxi driver clinging to the bonnet of her car.
The incident happened on Üllői Road and began with what appeared to be a minor collision, according to RTL Híradó. The woman’s car reportedly hit the back of a taxi driven by the man. The two drivers initially pulled over to discuss the incident, but failed to reach an agreement. The woman then reportedly got back into her car and drove away.
Taxi driver ends up on bonnet
According to police information cited by RTL, the taxi driver grabbed onto the bonnet as the car began moving. A witness who filmed the extraordinary scene said he initially thought he was watching a film being shot.
“I thought it was a film shoot, but they don’t usually shoot films on Üllői Road,” the witness said, according to RTL. The driver reportedly travelled at around 30 km/h while the man remained on the bonnet. The witness said the woman appeared to be trying to move towards the side of the road.
The car eventually turned into a side street, where the incident came to an end. The taxi driver, who was reportedly around 30 years old, complained of pain in his hand and leg. Witnesses called an ambulance, and he was taken to hospital for examination.
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Passenger claims taxi driver feared being hit
RTL also spoke to a passenger who had been travelling in the taxi. According to the passenger’s account, the woman had allegedly attempted to hit the taxi driver with her car after the dispute. The passenger said the man climbed onto the bonnet because he feared for his safety.
This account has not been independently confirmed, and the circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain under investigation. Video footage of the incident showed the man holding onto the front of the moving vehicle as it travelled along the busy Budapest road.
More on the Hungarian capital’s traffic: Disabled parking space in the middle of the road in Budapest
Police investigating road safety offence
Witnesses called both the police and emergency services after seeing what was happening. Police have launched an investigation on suspicion of endangering road traffic. It remains unclear from the available reports whether further charges will be brought in connection with the incident.
What began as a minor rear-end collision therefore escalated into a highly unusual and potentially dangerous confrontation, with one driver being carried on the bonnet of another vehicle for more than 100 metres through the streets of Budapest.
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