NSW police lay charges after driver detected holding phone and baby

A woman has been charged after she was allegedly detected driving while holding a mobile phone, and with a small child seated on her lap in Sydney’s west.

Earlier this month (Wednesday 7 December 2022), Georges River Traffic and Highway Patrol received a referral from Transport for NSW, regarding an image taken on a Mobile Phone Detection Camera situated in Bankstown.

The image allegedly depicted a female driver in a Queensland-registered motor vehicle holding a mobile phone with a small child seated on her lap, unrestrained, on Tuesday 1 November 2022.

Following inquiries, police attended Padstow about 7.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 14 December 2022), and spoke with a 28-year-old woman, who holds a Queensland ‘learner’ license.

She was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice, where she was charged with five offences, including:

  • Drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous
  • Driver use mobile phone when not permitted
  • Drive with 6 months – 4 years old not restrained as prescribed
  • Learner not accompanied by driver/police officer/tester
  • Driver not wear seatbelt properly adjusted/fastened

The woman is due to appear before the Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday 25 January 2023.

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