AAP

POLICE intercepted a 13-year-old boy taking a joy-ride on a treacherous stretch of Darling Downs highway yesterday.

The boy went on a 50km joy-ride in the car he stole from Glenvale before police intercepted him on the Warrego Highway between Oakey and Dalby.

Toowoomba Police sergeant Bevan Schott said the boy stole the green Kia Mentor from a business in McDougall Street because he wanted to drive to Dalby.

Sgt Schott said the damaged sedan was spotted driving erratically and at speed on the Oakey Bypass when Dalby Police were notified.

The stretch of Warrego Highway between Toowoomba and Dalby has claimed two lives this year.

Officers intercepted the boy at Bowenville, 27km west of Oakey, just before 3pm.

The car owner had purchased the sedan as a repairable write-off from an insurance company.

He was away at the time it was stolen.

It is believed the boy has family in Dalby.

Dalby Police Child Protection Investigation Unit officers interviewed the boy yesterday afternoon.

No charges have been laid at this stage.