A learner driver could be without their licence for six months after being caught exceeding the speed limit by more than 50km/h without a full-licence holder accompanying them – and with cannabis allegedly in their system.
On Saturday, July 27, Illawarra Highway Patrol detected a Toyota Corolla being driven at 141km/h on the M1 Motorway at Helensburgh.
Upon speaking to the 18-year-old male driver, Highway Patrol officers discovered he only held a learner licence, meaning his maximum speed limit was meant to be 90km/h regardless of the signposted limit.
He was also without an accompanying licensed driver, which is a requirement for L-platers getting behind the wheel.
To make matters worse, a roadside oral fluid test allegedly produced a positive result for cannabis, which was subsequently confirmed with a secondary test at Wollongong Police Station.
The teenager was subsequently issued multiple infringement notices, which included exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h ($2959 fine, six demerit points), not displaying L plates ($320 fine, two demerit points), being unaccompanied ($320 fine, two demerit points) and not carrying his licence ($320 fine, two demerit points).
While his licence has been suspended for at least six months, police are currently awaiting lab results of the second drug test which, if positive, will result in an additional three-month licence suspension and fine.
In New South Wales, motorists caught driving under the influence can face court-imposed fines of up to $3300 for first-time offences.
