By NICOLE VALICEK
POLICE are shocked after a P-plate driver was caught driving nearly 100km/h over the speed limit.
Officers from the Hobsons Bay Highway Patrol were conducting speed check duties and waiting for a booze bus when they clocked the man doing 177km/h in a signed 80km/h speed zone on Koroit Creek Rd around 7pm.
The 18-year-old Altona Meadows man was immediately intercepted and as police discovered had only held his driver’s licence for eight months.
Police immediately impounded the 1999 Golf Hatch for one month under hoon laws.
He will have to pay a $703 impound fee to get his car back on 6 June.
Police said the man will be charged with exceed speed limit, driving at a dangerous speed and failing to carry his probationary licence.
Hobson’s Bay Highway Patrol officer-in-charge Sergeant Jason Van Doren warned if anyone was on the road or if he was carrying a passenger, police would have also considered a charge of conduct endangering life. But it was not appropriate in these circumstances.
Sgt Van Doren said police were shocked that such an inexperienced driver made the decision to put his life and the lives of other road users at risk with his driving behaviour.
“As the officer-in-charge of our local Highway Patrol I can assure you that drivers like this are prosecuted to the full extent possible,” he said.
“I also remind all drivers that over the coming month we will be ramping up our efforts as we draw closer to the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.”
He said all of the available Highway Patrol cars and motor bikes will be out on the road to ensure the best chance of achieving a fatal free weekend.
