'Too lenient': Outrage after P-plater fined $1800 for shocking move

A P-plater’s punishment for allegedly breaching the speed limit by over 70km/h in Canberra has been branded as “lenient” by other road users.

The 18-year-old motorist was slapped with a fine of $1841 and six demerit points after he was allegedly clocked at 151km/h in a 80km/h on Gungahlin Drive. His licence has been automatically suspended for three months.

While ACT Policing shared an image of the driver’s Holden Commodore with a lighthearted caption using “quick” mathematics, there was a serious message from Acting Station Sergeant Wills.

“Provisional drivers are some of the most inexperienced on our roads, and as such they should be taking even greater care when behind the wheel, not driving at more than 150 kilometres an hour,” he said.

“Clearly this driver had other ideas, and thankfully nobody else is paying for his poor judgement.”

And while the force conveyed a stern stance on the matter, social media users were quick to question whether the punishment was sufficient.

“Those penalties are quite lenient compared to NSW,” one person remarked.

“Take their license away for good... should have been harsher penalties,” another said.

Others agreed, with one woman saying: “ Should have had his licence torn up”.

One person suggested the fine should have been “10 times more” and used as a fund for victims of “rev head” accidents.

In ACT, a provisional driver’s licence is suspended for three months when four demerit points are accumulated.

Penalties for high-range speeding

Provisional drivers in NSW have their licence automatically suspended for at least three months if caught speeding while drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h will be fined $2530.

In Victoria, motorists are fined $806 for speeding more than 45km/h over the limit while incurring a 12-month licence suspension.

In Queensland, drivers are fined $1218 for travelling 40km/h above the limits, handed eight demerit points and an automatic six-month suspension.

WA drivers cop a $1200 fine and seven demerit points when speeding 40km/h over the limit, while SA road users will be fined $1,036 and hit with nine demerit points 45km/h over.

Meanwhile last Sunday, a speeding motorist offered up a bizarre excuse to NSW Police.

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