WATCH: Man takes 'risky ride' on back of prisoner van in Auckland traffic

A video showing a person gripping to the back of a prisoner escort van in Auckland traffic has racked up more than half a million views online.

The footage, shared by the Facebook page Checkpoint Watch Auckland, captured a man clinging to the van in moving traffic on Hobson Street in Auckland’s CBD, and it quickly got people talking.

While some initially wondered whether the person was a prisoner, Men's Prisons Deputy Commissioner Liz Hawthorn has confirmed that wasn't the case.

As you'd expect, the Kiwis had a field day with the clip.

"That's a risky ride, you're lucky you didn't end up inside it," one person commented.

Another joked, "He just needed a lift up the road from walking."

Others chimed in with, "Taking 'ride or die' to a whole new level," and "Tell me about the cost of living without telling me about the cost of living."

Despite the jokes, Corrections says the dangerous act was lucky not to have ended in a worse situation, and that they take safety very seriously.

"Corrections is concerned anytime a member of the public puts themselves in danger, particularly when holding onto a moving vehicle. The outcome could have been worse had they fallen off or been involved in an accident," Hawthorn said via 1News.

According to Hawthorn, prisoner escort services in Auckland are provided by a contractor. 

The drivers involved were reportedly “unaware” that the person was hanging off the vehicle until a member of the public informed them afterwards.

The incident had not been reported to the police at the time, but the contractor intended to.

"I have asked the contractor to remind their staff about remaining vigilant, particularly when driving through urban areas," Hawthorn added.

It's definitely one way to avoid Auckland traffic, but probably not one anyone should be trying again.