Wallop! Driver's inattention proves costly

NEEDLESS: A teenage girl was distracted and crashed into a worker's new four-wheel drive. PHOTO/CHERIE TAYLOR

Motorists are being reminded to remain vigilant when behind the wheel after a distracted teenage driver slammed her car into a new four-wheel drive on Cole St.

Police say the 18-year-old uninsured driver, who was on a learner licence, was distracted, picking up a lighter she had dropped on the floor, looking up too late to stop crashing her Toyota Corolla into the parked vehicle - a five-day-old Nissan Qashqai.

The accident happened about 12.30pm on Tuesday.

Constable Dana Johanson said it was timely to remind drivers to stay focused with more people out and about and busy with Christmas just around the corner and more traffic on the road from now through the festive season.

The teenager had leaned down to pick up the lighter, taking her attention from the road, she said.

Don't be distracted by mobile phones, changing the CD in your car or by taking your eyes off the road to pick up things or deal with children, she said.

"Keep vigilant and aware of what is going on around you."

Meanwhile, the teenage driver will receive infringements for her driving but won't be charged in relation to the crash, said Ms Johanson.

Police could better deal with her rather "than tying up the court system", she said.

Motorists are also reminded that on December 1 the alcohol drink-driving limit is dropping from 400mcg to 250mcg for breath and from 80mg to 50mg for blood.

The alcohol limit for drivers aged under 20 remains at zero.