Teen driver faces multiple charges after alleged drink-driving with seven passengers on Gold Coast

Around 2 am on Wednesday, Queensland Police stopped a ute on Ridgevale Drive in Helensvale after noticing it drifting across lanes. The driver, a 17-year-old with a provisional licence, was found with three passengers sitting unsecured in the vehicle’s rear tray and a breath-alcohol reading of 0.022 percent, exceeding the limit for his licence class. When questioned, the teen explained that he did not want to pay for an Uber.

Police also asked one passenger to retrieve a discarded fast-food drink from the road. The driver was charged with drink-driving, illegal carriage of passengers and received traffic infringement notices amounting to $966. He is scheduled to appear before the Southport Children’s Court on September 14.