March 22nd, 2023Three passengers found in back of ute during traffic stop in Goughs Bay

A P-plate driver had his car impounded after three passengers were found hiding under a blanket in the rear of a ute during a routine intercept in Goughs Bay over the recent Labour Day long weekend.

Mansfield Highway Patrol officers intercepted a Ford Falcon utility, with two people in the vehicle, on Walshs Road just before 10am on Sunday, 12 March.

Officers spoke to the driver who was the holder of a P1 licence who can only have a one passenger in the car.

As police were conducting a preliminary breath test on the driver, they noticed a blanket in the cargo area of the ute move.

Officers inspected further and found three passengers curled up under the blanket in the rear tray.

The driver, an 18-year-old Cheltenham man, had his vehicle immediately impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1865.

He is expected to be charged on summons with driving with a passenger in part of the vehicle designed primarily for the carriage of goods and P1 Probationary driver drive with more than one peer passenger.

One of his adult stowaway passengers was also fined.