An 18-year-old woman driver was allegedly pulled over by police in Alice Springs last night with 17 passengers in her car.
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She has been charged with a number of traffic offences.
Police said they were dumbfounded by the danger the packed car represented.
Southern Traffic Operations police observed a vehicle that legally can carry a total of five persons travelling west yesterday evening and were surprised to see more than five passengers inside the vehicle.
“We saw a sea of faces looking out the windows,” said Sergeant Conan Robertson.
“We were dumbfounded.”
After pulling over the vehicle, members counted a total of 18 people inside the car including five adults and 13 children, the youngest being five-months-old.
“It is shocking that people continue to take risks with the lives of their loved ones,” Sgt Robertson said.
“This is an extreme case but unfortunately unrestrained children is still something that we see every day.
“Seatbelts save lives and leaving kids to bounce around unrestrained in a car is not acceptable for anyone.”
The driver has been served a Notice to Appear in court on October 24 for driving unlicensed and numerous seatbelt offences.