Northern Territory Police are reminding motorists that all passengers must wear appropriate restraints.
Last night at a breath-testing operation in Pine Creek, Police pulled over a Ford Falcon for a breath test and licence check.
The vehicle contained nine occupants - including five unrestrained children. The driver stated they had driven up from Alice Springs.
Other passengers in the car had allegedly attempted to hide four children from police view by covering them with blankets. The children, aged between four and 10 years, were located in the front and rear passenger footwells and under adult passengers' legs. A fifth child in the rear seat was also unrestrained.
Police transferred the group to Pine Creek where arrangements were made for family to collect them and retrieve the vehicle.
The driver, a 35-year-old woman, was issued a Notice to Appear on 17 March for:
- 1 x Drive unlicensed
- 5 x Drive with child unrestrained.
An adult passenger was also issued an infringement notice for failing to wear a seatbelt.
Superintendent Kirk Pennuto said, "This could have had a very serious or even tragic outcome. An overcrowded vehicle, children not restrained, long distances and open highways during a monsoon - it's a recipe for disaster. Motorists must take more responsibility and use the roads in a safe manner."
