This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/21/seven-year-old-driving-gold-coast

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Drunk man let seven-year-old drive, police say Drunk man let seven-year-old drive, police say
(about 5 hours later)
A drunk man let a seven-year-old boy drive him around the Gold Coast at 3am, police allege. A drunk father let his seven-year-old son drive him around the Gold Coast at 3am, police allege.
A police patrol noticed the boy behind the wheel after the car drove by without its headlights on, police told Australian Associated Press. A police patrol pulled the car over after it drove by without its headlights on early on Friday. They discovered the boy behind the wheel when they opened the driver's door.
The car was pulled over on The Esplanade at Surfers Paradise about 3am on Friday. It's alleged his father was drunk in the passenger seat beside him.
"It is alleged the man was in the passenger seat of the vehicle," police said. A 41-year-old NSW man has been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and being an adult in charge under the influence of liquor.
The 41-year-old has been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and being an adult in charge under the influence of liquor. He is expected to fact Southport Magistrates Court on 3 July.
He is expected to face the Southport magistrates court on 3 July. The boy is reportedly in the care of relatives after they travelled from NSW following the incident, which happened on The Esplanade at Surfers Paradise.
The father failed a roadside breath test.
Police could not confirm media reports he was three times over the legal blood alcohol limit.
Royal Automobile Club Queensland (RACQ) senior road safety adviser Joel Tucker said the case was shocking.
"Children at that age don't have the mental or physical capabilities to drive a car safely," Tucker told AAP.
"It is a real concern to hear that children were being put in that position."
Tucker said incidents of underage driving were rare in Queensland.
"This is a unique case, it's not something we hear about regularly and that's a good thing."
Tucker said apart from the obvious physical problems with someone so young driving a car, the child's inability to understand basic road rules or how a car operates makes it highly dangerous.
"The age to drive by yourself in Queensland is 17 years and that's after having done 100 hours of supervised experience and passing a driving test," he said.
"They don't have the skills, ability or knowledge and nor should they at that age."
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.