Young 'R' driver given three-month ban for doing over 70mph on Glenshane Road
A District Judge has said too many young drivers who come to court on speeding charges think they will get away with it.
Eighteen-year-old Oisin O’Donnell from Crosskeys Road, Antrim, was fined £200 with a £15 offender’s levy and banned from driving for three months for exceeding his 45mph speed restriction.
Prosecuting counsel told Magherafelt Magistrates Court on Wednesday that the defendant’s vehicle was detected travelling at 73 mph on the Glenshane Road, Castledawson, on April 12 this year.
Judge Oonagh Mullan told O’Donnell that it wasn’t a good start to his driving career and it was “an appalling” speed.
Defence solicitor Stephen Atherton, who handed in a character reference from the defendant’s employer, said O’Donnell was taking the matter very seriously.
Mr Atherton said the defendant worked as a welder in Bellaghy and required his licence to get to and from his work.
Imposing the disqualification, Judge Mullan told the defendant that doing that speed he could have caused an accident.