A driver involved in a shocking road rage incident on a busy Gold Coast motorway, which left a young motorcyclist hospitalised, has been issued with a fine and will not face criminal charges.
Dramatic Dashcam Footage Captures M1 Confrontation
The alarming sequence unfolded on the northbound lanes of the M1 Pacific Motorway at Helensvale around 8.15am on Tuesday. According to the Queensland Police Service (QPS), dashcam footage from another vehicle captured the entire confrontation.
The video shows a blue Nissan X-Trail allegedly swerving into the middle lane while a motorcycle is travelling alongside it. This dangerous manoeuvre forces the rider to quickly change lanes to avoid a direct collision. The situation escalates as the sequence continues across multiple lanes, with the car appearing to pursue or repeatedly force the motorbike to take evasive action.
Rider Thrown Onto Bitumen, Taken to Hospital
The road rage incident reached a terrifying conclusion when the 24-year-old female motorcyclist was thrown from her bike onto the bitumen. Emergency services were called to the scene.
"The 24-year-old female motorcyclist sustained injuries and was transported to Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition," a police spokesperson confirmed. The driver of the Nissan, identified as a 44-year-old man from Bahrs Scrub, was not physically injured.
Driver Issued Infringement Notice for Careless Driving
In an update that may surprise many, Queensland Police confirmed the driver will not face court over the incident. "A 44-year-old Bahrs Scrub man was issued with an infringement notice for careless driving without due care and attention," a statement read.
An infringement notice is a traffic offence penalty, similar to a speeding ticket, and does not involve criminal charges. This means the driver faces a financial penalty and demerit points, but no criminal record or appearance before a magistrate is required for this offence.
Police have stated that investigations into the incident are ongoing, leaving open the possibility of further action depending on their findings. The decision has already sparked discussion online about the adequacy of penalties for aggressive driving behaviour that results in serious injury.
