KEY POINTS:
Police say they found a 14-year-old girl behind the wheel of a car while her mother sat, allegedly drunk, in the passenger seat.
Officers received reports of a car driving erratically along State Highway 2 between Matata and Whakatane, twice narrowly missing oncoming trucks when it crossed the centre line.
When the car was stopped at 8am yesterday on White Pine Bush Rd, on the outskirts of Whakatane, police were "absolutely amazed and horrified" to discover a 14-year-old behind the wheel.
Her mother, allegedly intoxicated and on a learner licence, had driven from Auckland with the teenager and three other children, aged between 5 and 10, in the car.
Police said the girl took over the driving when her mother allegedly started falling asleep behind the wheel.
"This was a multiple fatality just waiting to happen," Senior Sergeant Bruce Jenkins said.
"We are very lucky that other drivers on the highway were so vigilant and with police took the action they did to prevent what could have been a real tragedy on our roads."
The 35-year old mother from Auckland has been charged with driving in breach of her learner's licence and further charges are likely, including driving with excess breath alcohol and aiding and abetting a 14-year old to drive while drunk.
The mother has been suspended from driving for 28 days and a referral has been made to Child, Youth and Family.
- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)
