A teenage P-plater has been fined and will face children’s court next month after Queensland highway police found seven passengers in his ute.
At 1.45am on August 19, police say they pulled over the vehicle as it ‘drifted’ between lanes on Ridgevale Drive (near Discovery Drive) at Helensvale, Gold Coast.
The discovered seven passengers onboard, three of them unrestrained in the ute’s tray.
A roadside breath test on the 17-year-old Pacific Pines driver returned a breath alcohol reading (BAC) of 0.022%, above the legal limit for a P1 licence holder, according to police.
The teenage driver was charged with three counts of driving with an unsecured passenger and one count of driving while over the no-alcohol limit for a P1 licence holder.
He was also fined three times for a total of $966 for carrying too many passengers, driving with a modified exhaust and, as a P1 licence holder, for driving between 11pm and 5am with non-family passengers.
He is expected to appear in Southport Children’s Court on September 14, police say.
Click here to watch the police video of the intercept.
TEENAGE DRIVER A REMINDER, SAY POLICE
Qld Highway Patrol acting Senior Sergeant Beth Fletcher says the case is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by reckless decisions made by drivers.
“This alleged behaviour was incredibly dangerous and could have easily ended in tragedy,” she says.
“It is disappointing for police to see a young driver allegedly get behind the wheel after drinking then carry seven passengers in a vehicle not designed to transport them.
“When you overload a vehicle and drive impaired, you’re removing every safety margin. If something goes wrong, the consequences can be catastrophic,” act-senior sgt Fletcher says.
“Safer roads start with you. Every decision you make behind the wheel matters; this driver made a choice that put his own life and the lives of his mates in danger.
“Expect police anywhere, anytime. We will continue to target dangerous driving behaviour and hold those who put lives at risk accountable.”
Click here to learn about the fatal five factors in road deaths.
