Highway patrol officers stop 13-year-old girl driving on Tingha Rd, Gilgai

Highway patrol officers were patrolling Tingha Rd at Gilgai about 11am when they spotted a silver Holden Commodore travelling west in a 100km per hour zone.

Officers said the vehicle wasn’t speeding but noticed a young girl appeared to be behind the wheel.

Police did a u-turn and followed the Commodore, pulling it over.

New England Acting Inspector Matt Crotty told The Leader officers spotted the driver climbing into another seat.

“Officers pulled the vehicle over and observed the passenger and driver attempting to change seats,” he said.

“Officers spoke to the occupants of the vehicle including a 13-year-old girl.

“The young female made admissions to driving the vehicle on the road way.

“She will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.”

Acting Inspector Crotty confirmed a licenced driver was seated in the car at the time of the offence.

“Officers spoke with a male in the vehicle who holds a current licence,” he said.

“Following investigations, he was issued with an infringement notice for permit a never licenced person to drive on the road.”

The maximum penalty for the offence is 20 penalty units or a $2,200 fine. 

Acting Inspector Crotty said it was a particularly dangerous incident.

“A vehicle can turn into a lethal weapon in just a matter of moments and this could have ended in tragedy,” he said.

“Police have conducted a number of operations in recent months to try and drive down the rising road toll.

“One fatality is too many and especially coming up to Christmas, police don’t want to have to knock on another door and tell a family their loved one won’t be coming home.

“Motorists have a responsibility when they get behind the wheel to drive safely, to the conditions, and follow the road rules.”