Co Tyrone R driver (18), caught speeding on the M1 near Portadown, said losing her licence would have 'serious consequences' for her family, Craigavon court hears
A Co Tyrone R driver, who was caught speeding on the M1, pointed out that novice drivers in the Irish Republic can drive at the same speed as those with a full licence.
Triniti Kelemen, aged 18, from Old Dungannon Road, Ballygawley, represented herself on a single charge of speeding while a restricted driver.
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Police were conducting speed checks on August 26 this year at 1.32pm on the M1 near the Birches when they spotted an Audi A1 travelling at 80mph.
Due to the vehicle displaying R plates, they stopped the car and the driver identified herself as the defendant.
Defending herself, Kelemen read from a number of papers saying she "understood the seriousness of what happened”.
She said she was overtaking a number of vehicles on the motorway and "made sure it was safe” to do so.
"I did not realise how high my speed was going but I have learned a serious lesson from it,” she said.
She said she needed her car for work and to help her mother. Without a licence she said she would struggle to keep her job and afford her tuition fees.
She said she was studying politics and criminology and this incident was "completely out of character”.
She pointed out to the court that in the Republic of Ireland restricted drivers are permitted to travel at the same speed as those with a full licence and that road collision rates “had been declining in recent years”.
Kelemen said losing her licence would have “serious consequences” for her family. “Losing my licence would not only harm me and my family but also the local contributions I have done,” she said.
District Judge Suzanne Rice said: “You will be aware that under the Road Traffic Laws in Northern Ireland when you are a restricted driver you are not permitted to drive beyond 45mph. Indeed on this day in question you were driving at 80 mph.
"I will give you credit for your guilty plea at the first available opportunity, however, the court does have to mark its displeasure at an R driver driving in excess speeds up to 80 mph,” said the District Judge imposing five penalty points and a £75 fine plus the £15 Offender Levy.