Courageous Mother Tracks Down Careless Truck Driver | Carscoops

      A quick-witted mother intervened to stop a drug-affected truck driver, averting a potential catastrophe on a South Australian roadway.

      May 3, 2025, 21:11

      by Thanos Pappas

      A young mother trailed and halted a swerving truck in South Australia after the driver tested positive for meth and cannabis, leading to traffic violation charges and a possible license suspension.

      When driving with a child in the back seat, encountering a swerving, uncontrolled truck is the last thing anyone wants to experience. Yet that was precisely the situation Carly Atkinson found herself in. Rather than panic or simply keep her distance, she decided to take decisive action.

      On March 25, while traveling with her daughter in South Australia, Atkinson noticed a truck erratically veering into oncoming traffic, causing other vehicles to scramble to the narrow shoulder to avoid a crash. While most might have pulled over to report the incident and hoped for assistance, Atkinson chose to take control of the situation.

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      Dashcam footage captured the tense moments as the truck swayed across the road. As reported by 7News, Atkinson quickly contacted the police, but realizing the urgent danger, she opted to intervene instead of waiting.

      After following the truck for some distance, Atkinson saw it finally come to a halt at Chain of Ponds. When the driver attempted to make a right turn at an intersection, she seized her chance. Without hesitation, Atkinson jumped from her car, approached the truck, and took charge of the situation.

      She first inquired if the driver was okay, to which he replied that he was "a bit lost." Atkinson then asked him to turn off the engine for a clearer conversation. Once the truck was shut off, she explained the risks he posed and promptly requested his keys.

      However, she didn’t just take the keys and leave. Atkinson also made sure to secure the driver's logbook until the police arrived, ensuring that all critical evidence was preserved.

      The police arrived shortly thereafter. They assessed the 34-year-old driver and found him under the influence of methamphetamine and cannabis, which disqualifies anyone from operating a large vehicle, particularly one as hazardous as a heavy truck.

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      A spokesperson for the South Australian Police confirmed that the driver received an immediate 24-hour driving ban along with a three-month license suspension. He is expected to face court, where additional penalties may be applied.

      According to South Australian traffic regulations, double trucks are prohibited on North East Road where the incident took place. Thankfully, thanks to Atkinson’s quick thinking and courage, a potential tragedy was averted. Let’s hope this truck driver’s days of operating a vehicle under the influence are now over.