A 36-year-old woman has been charged and fined nearly $7000 after allegedly driving without a licence and speeding with five children unrestrained in the back of her vehicle at Redbank on 9 October.
About 4pm, Ipswich Highway Patrol officers were conducting patrols when they intercepted a white Hyundai iMax allegedly travelling at 77km/h in a 60km/h zone on Brisbane Road.
Police will allege five children, aged between four months and nine years, were travelling in the rear of the vehicle without appropriate restraints, including a four-month-old baby being held by a five-year-old child.
The woman was issued with $6,993 in fines and incurred 23 demerit points. She was also charged with one count of driving without a licence and was issued with a Notice to Appear in Ipswich Magistrates Court on 29 October.
Ipswich Highway Patrol Officer in Charge Senior Sergeant Jarrad Tyne said the circumstances were extremely concerning and highlighted the potentially devastating consequences of failing to properly restrain children in vehicles.
“There is absolutely no excuse for putting children at risk like this. Every child must be properly restrained, every time, no matter how short the journey,” Senior Sergeant Tyne said.
“An unrestrained child is incredibly vulnerable in a crash. Even at relatively low speeds, the consequences can be catastrophic, and a child simply cannot protect themselves if something goes wrong.
“Speeding only compounds the danger. Drivers have a responsibility to protect every person in their vehicle, particularly young children who depend entirely on adults to keep them safe. These are basic road safety obligations that must never be ignored.”
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.
