Full Breakdown
Giant Banana Car Pulled Over Near Billings, Montana
6/24/2026, 1:47:55 AM
The Incident on Interstate 90
On a Tuesday this week, Montana State Police stopped a 23-foot, banana-shaped vehicle traveling west on Interstate 90 near Billings. The driver, Steve Braithwaite, was cited for partially obscuring his license plate, which reads “SPLIT.” No citation was issued, and the trooper released the driver after a brief conversation.
Background of the Big Banana Car
Braithwaite, an Oxford-born, Michigan-resident, began fabricating the fiberglass banana in 2008 and completed it in 2011. The novelty vehicle is built on the chassis of a 1993 Ford F-150 pickup. Since its debut, Braithwaite reports being stopped “hundreds of times” over a decade and claims he was “the most pulled-over man in America” during the first eight or nine years of driving it.
Key Figures
- Steve Braithwaite – Builder and driver of the “Big Banana Car.”
- Montana State Police – Law-enforcement agency that posted the stop on its Facebook page.
- The trooper – The officer who initiated the traffic stop.
- Kristie Swink – Owner of Heart and Soul Alpaca Ranch, where Braithwaite stayed after the stop.
Data & Statistics
- Vehicle length: ? 23 feet (tip-to-tip).
- Base vehicle: 1993 Ford F-150.
- License plate: “SPLIT.”
- Construction period: 2008–2011 (? 3 years).
- Reported traffic stops: “hundreds” over ten years; self-described as the most frequently stopped driver in the United States for the early years.
Official Statements & Responses
Montana State Police announced on Facebook that traffic laws apply to all vehicles, including novelty ones, and that the stop was warranted because the license plate was not fully visible. The trooper later explained that the stop was also prompted by the vehicle’s rapid acceleration at a light, describing it as “peeling out.”
On-the-Ground Reports
Braithwaite said the stop was “a fair complaint” and that the interaction was friendly. After the encounter, he spent a night at the Heart and Soul Alpaca Ranch, where host Kristie Swink described him as “super funny and very friendly” and noted that the family enjoyed a ride in the banana car. Braithwaite emphasized that the reactions he receives—smiles, waves, and jokes—“affect me” and “do something fantastic.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the primary reason for the stop: the police statement cites a partially blocked license plate, while the trooper’s comment attributes it to “peeling out.” Additionally, Braithwaite’s estimates of his total stops vary between “hundreds” and being the “most pulled-over man” in the nation, without precise counts. No independent verification of these figures is provided.
Why It Matters
The incident highlights how novelty vehicles intersect with standard traffic enforcement, drawing widespread public attention and prompting discussions about road safety, law-enforcement discretion, and the cultural appeal of whimsical road art. Social-media reactions to the stop underscore the vehicle’s role in generating community goodwill and curiosity.
What’s Next
Braithwaite plans to continue his “World Needs More Whimsy Grand Tour,” traveling south through Mexico and Central America, shipping the car around the Darién Gap, and eventually driving through South America before attempting an Atlantic crossing. He funds the journey by selling banana-car-themed coffee mugs, T-shirts, and children’s books.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We’ve stopped speeders, distracted drivers, and even a few unusual vehicles… but this one definitely stands out. The Big Banana Car was stopped cruising near Billings today. While it may be apPEALing, traffic laws still apply to fruit. ? ? Safe travels, Montana,” — Montana State Police (Facebook)
- “Driving around in a banana and having all these people, all these smiles and waves, affects me. It actually does something fantastic,” — Steve Braithwaite, driver
- “The reason I pulled you over," the officer said, "was because back there, you peeled out.” — Montana trooper (on-scene)
- “Steve was so wonderful. He was super funny and very friendly,” — Kristie Swink, ranch owner
- “The world is seriously low on whimsy right now, and driving around in a banana, it just brings it out of people, and it's lovely,” — Steve Braithwaite, interviewee
