Woman driver allegedly blows 0.158 with unrestrained baby in her car

THE Territory’s Assistant Police Commissioner is in ‘disbelief’ following another raft of Territorians facing court for serious traffic offences – including an allegedly drunk woman caught driving with an unrestrained baby in the car

Five people were arrested and charged in Katherine within 24 hours on Monday – including an allegedly drunk woman caught driving with an unrestrained baby in the car

THE Territory’s Assistant Police Commissioner is in “disbelief” following another raft of Territorians facing court for serious traffic offences – including an allegedly drunk woman caught driving with an unrestrained baby in the car.

Assistant Commissioner and Road Policing Command head Narelle Beer said the latest cases – which include high-range drink drivers, drivers under the influence of up to four different drugs, and motorists caught speeding 60km/h over the limit – contributed to the Territory’s bleak road fatality statistics.

“The Northern Territory has the highest number of road deaths per capita than any other state or territory in Australia,” she said.

“I am in disbelief that our road users are not getting the very simple message that seatbelt save lives, speed kills and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is madness.”

The Mayor of Katherine has called for tougher penalties for drink and drug drivers following the news that five people were arrested for traffic offences in the town in 24 hours

It comes after five people were arrested and charged in Katherine within 24 hours on Monday – including Sharelle Dixon, 28, who was pulled over while allegedly driving on Dowling St in Katherine South around 10.30pm on Monday night with no headlights on.

The police statement said officers conducted a breath test which returned a reading of 0.158. Police allege they also saw three passengers – two adults and a five-month-old baby – in the car without seatbelts on.

Dixon, who police allege was already disqualified from driving for five years, was arrested and charged with a string of offences including high-range drink driving, driving while disqualified, uninsured and unregistered and driving with an unrestrained child.

She was remanded in custody before facing Katherine Local Court on Tuesday and will return to court later in the month for sentencing.

The Territory’s Assistant Police Commissioner is in ‘disbelief’ following another raft of Territorians facing court for serious traffic offences

The other four people – men aged between 23 and 52 – were charged after being caught driving in Katherine allegedly under the influence of a range of drugs including; cannabis, methamphetamine, amphetamine and opioids.

One of the men was also alleged to have had an unrestrained child in his car, and another was driving without a licence.

Katherine Mayor Fay Miller told the NT News the arrests demonstrated a need for tougher drink and drug driving sentences.

“With five people arrested in such a short space of time … what it’s highlighting is that there’s a problem with drugs and driving,” Ms Miller said.

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“The penalties need to be increased, they don’t seem to be a deterrent.”

Meanwhile in Darwin, a 41-year-old man faced court on Tuesday over allegations of high-range speeding and drink driving.

Police will allege Rorie Williams was pulled over about 2.30am on January 14 while driving 140km/h in a 80km/h zone through the Palmerston suburb of Bakewell.

Williams allegedly blew 0.209 when police ordered him to do a roadside breath test – more than four times the legal limit.

Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Nicole Manison said the allegations were “heartbreaking.”

“What I am so frustrated about is that so much of this is preventable,” she said.

“Everybody has a role to play on our roads here in the NT.”