AS the banged up old ute wobbled its way through Sydney suburbs illegally weighed down with stinky rolls of old carpet, little did the driver know the NSW Police Highway Patrol were about to pull the rug from under him.

The occupants had lashed at least two dozens rolls of carpet and underlay to the vehicle with just two lengths of blue nylon rope and covered the load with a black plastic tarp.

An eagle-eyed private motorist saw the jalopy and snapped these horrifying photos of the load swaying as the ute took corners.

media_camera An overloaded ute is pictured on the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command - NSW Police Force Facebook page.

After the pictures were uploaded to the NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Facebook site, they quickly attracted more than 150 comments, many of them derogatory.

Disgusted motorist Lindsay Ellison wrote: “Some people have no idea of the rules or respect for others on the road.”

Other Facebook posts suggested the ute was being driven through Kogarah, or on Woodville Road, possibly near Villawood.

media_camera Of course it is not the first time that the Highway Patrol has come across this sort of thing. Picture: NSW Police Media

media_camera Another ute driver must have thought it would be easier just to do the one trip to the dump. Picture: NSW Police Media

Highway Patrol police say they are frustrated that motorists continue to put other road users in danger by not properly securing their loads or trying to carry too much material at once.

They risk $415 fines and three demerit points on their licences if they drive a vehicle with an unsecured load; a load that causes the vehicle to become unstable or; drive a vehicle with an overhanging load.

media_camera This ute driver had rocks in his head if he thought he would get away with this. Picture: NSW Police Media

media_camera You wouldn’t want to try and merge behind this driver. Picture: NSW Police Media

Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, Traffic & Highway Patrol Commander warned wayward motorist carrying dangerous loads that photographs posted to the police Facebook site have been followed up in the past and infringements issued to drivers.

“In what has become a frustration for police, motorists continue to not properly secure loads on their vehicles, posing a threat to themselves and other road users,” Mr Hartley said.

“ ... It is a significant safety risk for other motorists, where in recent years two motorists lost their lives when they stopped at a piece of equipment that had fallen onto a busy road and were involved in a crash with another vehicle.”

media_camera It may be twice the length of the vehicle... but he has a flag! Picture: NSW Police Media

Mr Hartley said that with 5.84 million registered vehicles in NSW, and 5.11 million licensed drivers, all road users must make sure they are carrying loads safely.

“Those that do not can expect to either be intercepted by Traffic and Highway Patrol Officers or get a knock at the door in the days following such incidents being reported to police,” he said.

We put a call out on Facebook for anyone who had similar photos and this is what we got:

media_camera Moving house? Why take several trips? Picture: Rachel Whitehead media_camera No roof racks? Just get a passenger in the back to hold it on. Picture: Tanarra Taylor

media_camera No straps, no worries - just don’t drive too close to this truck. Picture: NSW Police Media media_camera Reach for the sky. Some people will try anything to save an extra trip. Picture: NSW Police Media

media_camera Need building supplies in a hurry? Load up the van. Picture: Jason Lovstad

media_camera Luckily someone else is actually controlling the scooter... no need for side mirrors though. Picture: Ben Chalmers