A WOMAN allegedly caught drink-driving with a child in her car at Maitland will face court next month.
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Port Stephens-Hunter police were conducting roadside breath-testing on the New England Highway about 11.55am on Thursday when they stopped a red Ford Falcon.
The 34-year-old driver underwent a roadside breath test. Police will allege she returned a positive result.
Officers inspected the vehicle and found a boy, 7, in the rear passenger seat.
They arrested the woman, taking her to Maitland police station. She underwent breath analysis and returned an alleged reading of 0.227.
Police cared for the child at the station until a family member arrived.
The 34-year-old's licence was suspended immediately and she was issued with a field court attendance notice for high-range drink-driving.
She will face Maitland Local Court on September 25.
Port Stephens-Hunter Police District's Acting Inspector Kristin Marshall said the rate of drink-driving offences in the area continually left them dumbfounded.
"It's these kind of selfish decisions that could have fatal and harmful consequences," Acting Inspector Marshall said.
"If you are too intoxicated to drive, you need to find alternative travel arrangements.
"We continue to implore the community to slow down, wear your seat belt, avoid handling mobile phones and take regular breaks to avoid fatigue."
The alleged incident comes the same week as two fatal crashes on Hunter roads, and a day after Traffic and Highway Patrol's Justin Cornes implored drivers to make road safety a topic at the dinner table.
A man will face court next month charged with offences including dangerous and negligent driving after a McCaffrey Drive crash on Tuesday in which a nine-year-old girl died and a woman, 29, was taken to hospital.
That tragedy unfolded hours after a head-on Catherine Hill Bay collision. One person died and another four were taken to the John Hunter Hospital.
Crash investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding both incidents.
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IN NEWS TODAY:
Matt Carr
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
