R driver was detected doing 75mph on A8 near Larne
An 18-year-old R driver exceeded his 45mph limit by travelling at 75mph on the A8 near Larne, a court has heard.
The district judge at Ballymena Magistrates' Court warned that young male drivers can end up in very serious road traffic collisions as a result of speeding.
Before the court was Ryan Francis McAtamney, of Cliftondene Crescent in Belfast.
He was detected speeding on Saturday, January 24 this year.
The defendant was accompanied in court by his parents who watched on from the public gallery.
A defence lawyer handed in character references for the defendant.
District Judge Nigel Broderick said: "Young men invariably get involved in very serious and sometimes fatal road traffic collisions because of speed.
"It is every parent's nightmare to get a knock at the door late at night from a police officer to say that their loved one has been involved in a very serious accident."
He told the defendant: "Hopefully you have learned a salutary lesson.
"Young men seem to think they are infallible, they think nothing bad will ever happen, but unfortunately occasionally it does happen and the consequences can be far-reaching".
The judge took into account a guilty plea, a clear record and references and gave the defendant five penalty points and a £150 fine.