You might have heard about Brisbane Broncos star Ezra Mam’s recent crash, where he got off with an $850 fine and a six-month driving ban. But what you didn’t know was that this wasn’t his first rodeo.
In fact, Mam has a history of driving offences, with four prior incidents since 2021.
The Latest Incident: A 4-Year-Old Girl Injured and Cocaine in His System
In October, Mam crashed his car while unlicensed and with cocaine in his system. A four-year-old girl was injured in the collision, suffering a broken hip.
To make matters worse, Mam had used cocaine socially the day before and got behind the wheel, despite his license being suspended until November 20.
A Pattern of Bad Behaviour Behind the Wheel
According to court documents, Mam’s license has been suspended three times since 2021 for various offences. In May, he got four demerit points and an $1161 fine for using his phone while driving, which triggered the suspension. He’s also been caught failing to stop at a red light, exceeding the speed limit by less than 13km/h, not wearing a seatbelt properly, and failing to pay a debt.
Provisional License, Big Consequences
As a provisional license holder, Mam is only allowed four points over a 12-month period. On every occasion his license was suspended, he was also hit with a late-night driving restriction, which is only imposed on drivers on provisional licenses.
Mam’s Response: “I Deeply Regret My Decisions”
This week, Mam spoke outside Brisbane Magistrates Court, expressing remorse for his actions. “I now understand how dangerous and irresponsible my actions were – not only for myself but for everyone on the road that day,” he said. “I deeply regret my decisions and the harm they could have caused… I am determined to prove through my actions that I have learned from this and am ready to contribute positively to my community.”
The Fallout: Calls for Law Changes in Queensland
The penalty handed to Mam has sparked outrage, with many calling for law changes in Queensland. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie labelled the fine “disgraceful” and a “slap on the wrist.” Attorney-General Deb Frecklington flagged the possibility of law changes, saying that the current penalty didn’t pass the “pub test.” “Most Queenslanders would expect that the penalty for a driver who’s found to have drugs in their system would be more severe than the penalty for using a mobile phone behind the wheel.”
The situation has sparked a wider debate about driver safety and the need for stiffer penalties for dangerous driving offences. As the NRL and Broncos prepare to hand out their own sanctions to Mam, one thing is clear: this isn’t the end of the road for this story.