A 22-year-old learner driver has been fined more than $6,000 and incurred 25 demerit points after allegedly being caught driving with four unrestrained teenagers travelling in a vehicle at Redbank Plains this month.
About 10.30pm on 14 October, police observed a teenage girl unrestrained waving a flag from a Hyundai iLoad travelling along Redbank Plains Road.
When officers intercepted the vehicle and spoke with the driver, they subsequently discovered another three 14-year-old teenagers travelling unrestrained in the rear of the vehicle.
The driver, a 22-year-old Redbank Plains woman, was issued with seven traffic infringement notices, including four for carrying unrestrained passengers aged between 7 and 16 years, exceeding the vehicle's registered carrying capacity, driving unaccompanied, and failing to display L plates.
She was fined a total of $6,077 and incurred 25 demerit points.
Ipswich Highway Patrol Officer in Charge Senior Sergeant Jarrad Tyne said the incident was a reminder that every child must be properly restrained whenever they travel in a vehicle.
"Seatbelts and appropriate child restraints are there to protect lives. In a crash, an unrestrained passenger can be seriously injured or killed and can also put other people in the vehicle at risk," Senior Sergeant Tyne said.
"Drivers are responsible for the safety of everyone in their vehicle. It is simply not worth taking the risk with children's lives by allowing them to travel unrestrained. Make sure everyone is properly secured before you put the car in gear.
"We want to remind all drivers whether you're heading out to celebrate an event or catching up with friends and family it's important to make sure everyone gets home safely."
The Queensland Police Service is committed to reducing the number of lives lost on our roads.
As part of Operation Interpose, police are bolstering high-visibility patrols right across the state, engaging with road users and enforcing the laws to deter dangerous driving behaviours.
Queenslanders can expect police – anywhere, anytime. However, enforcement alone cannot stop all dangerous driving behaviours.
Driving under the influence, speeding, driving distracted or while fatigued, or not wearing a seatbelt puts your life – and the lives of others – at serious risk. These dangerous behaviours will not be tolerated.
Road safety starts with you.
