Traffic stop reveals unrestrained children including a seven month old baby

ACT Policing is reminding drivers of the importance of wearing seatbelts after a driver was found travelling with five unrestrained passengers, including four children, yesterday (Wednesday, 15 January 2020).

About 2.45pm, police on mobile patrol were travelling north on Gungahlin Drive, Bruce when they passed a silver Toyota Prius.  

While passing the vehicle, police observed several young people in the back seat that appeared to be unrestrained.

Police stopped the vehicle and confirmed that five passengers in the back seat were unrestrained, including four children – a nine-year-old, a six-year-old, a five-year-old, and a seven-month-old baby, who was sitting on the six-year-old’s lap.  

The 57-year-old male driver was issued with five infringement notices for driving with unrestrained passengers.

Officer in Charge of Traffic Operations, Detective Acting Station Sergeant Jayde Evans said drivers were ultimately responsible for all passengers in a vehicle.

“It’s worth remembering that not only is it an offence to drive while not wearing your seatbelt, it is also an offence to permit passengers to travel in your car without seatbelts,” Detective Acting Station Sergeant Evans said.

“The safety of children is paramount. All passengers, especially children must be restrained correctly at all times, even when driving at low speeds or on short trips.”

Media enquiries

Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au