January 3rd, 2025Court for driver after police spot four children unrestrained in ute

A man will face court after allegedly driving a ute with four children onboard unrestrained in Pakenham earlier this week.

Vigilant officers from Cardinia Highway Patrol spotted the ute travelling along Henry Street before intercepting the vehicle about 12.25pm on Monday, December 30.

Police were in disbelief to discover the unrestrained children, aged from three to 13 years-of age, in the single-cab ute.

Two children were located in the front passenger seat, one on the centre console and a fourth in the passenger foot-well.

A 38-year-old Pakenham man was expected to be charged with reckless driving, careless driving and two counts of fail to ensure passenger not occupying same seat as another passenger and two counts of fail to ensure passenger occupying a seat with a fitted seatbelt.

He was expected to appear at a magistrates’ court at a later date.

The intercept was part of Operation Roadwise, a statewide all-out road safety effort which began on 13 December and continued until midnight on New Year’s Day.

This story based on a Victoria Police report