A Queensland woman has been fined nearly $7000 and stripped of 23 demerit points after police caught her speeding with five unrestrained children, including a baby held by a five-year-old.
Officers stopped the woman driving a white Hyundai iMax in Redbank, southwest of Brisbane, on Friday afternoon.
Queensland Police allege the woman was travelling at 77km/h in a 60km/h zone.
Five children, aged between four months and nine-years-old, were in the rear of the vehicle without appropriate restraints.
Among them was a four-month-old baby being held by a five-year-old child.
The woman was issued $6993 in fines and lost 23 demerit points.
She was charged with one count of driving without a licence and issued a notice to appear in Ipswich Magistrates Court on October 29.
Ipswich Highway Patrol officer in charge Senior Sergeant Jarrad Tyne said the alleged circumstances were extremely concerning.
“There is absolutely no excuse for putting children at risk like this. Every child must be properly restrained, every time, no matter how short the journey,” Sergeant Tyne said.
“An unrestrained child is incredibly vulnerable in a crash. Even at relatively low speeds, the consequences can be catastrophic, and a child simply cannot protect themselves if something goes wrong.
“Speeding only compounds the danger. Drivers have a responsibility to protect every person in their vehicle, particularly young children who depend entirely on adults to keep them safe.”
The incident comes as Queensland Police continue Operation Interpose, which involves increased high-visibility patrols and enforcement targeting dangerous driving behaviours across the state.