Driver charged after five children as young as four found unrestrained in vehicle

NT POLICE have charged a woman for allegedly driving with five unrestrained children in her car

NORTHERN Territory Police have charged a woman for allegedly driving with five unrestrained children in her car, with the youngest aged just four years old.

The 35-year-old driver’s Ford Falcon was stopped by police during a breath-testing operation in Pine Creek last night.

During the stop, officers found nine people inside the vehicle, including five children aged between four and 10 who were not wearing seatbelts.

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Four of the children were allegedly found under passengers’ legs in the front and rear footwells, after passengers tried to hide them from police view by covering them with blankets.

Another child in the rear seat was also allegedly unrestrained.

The driver told police the group had driven up from Alice Springs.

Officers transferred the group to Pine Creek and arranged for family to collect them and retrieve the vehicle.

The driver was issued with a notice to appear in court on Wednesday, March 17 on five counts of driving with an unrestrained child and one count of driving unlicensed.

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NT Police Superintendent Kirk Pennuto said the incident was an important reminder to drivers that their passengers must be appropriately restrained.

“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,” he said.

“Motorists must take more responsibility and use the roads in a safe manner.”

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