Boy, 9, found driving on major highway in Australia

16 Mar 2026 • 6:47 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • A 45-year-old man has been charged after police allegedly caught a nine-year-old boy steering a car on a major highway in New South Wales, Australia.
  • The incident occurred on 7 March at approximately 1:35 am on the Great Western Highway near Mount Lambie, and was captured by a seatbelt detection camera.
  • Police allege the man, who was experiencing significant fatigue, was operating the pedals while the unrestrained child sat on his lap and steered the vehicle.
  • The man was charged with four counts of driving recklessly, negligent driving, driving without proper control of the vehicle, and driving with an unfastened passenger seatbelt.
  • He is scheduled to appear at Walgett Local Court on 28 April.

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