By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A DRIVER who was caught speeding at 143 km/h in a bald-tyred car on a wet, puddly South Gippsland Highway, Tooradin, has been disqualified from driving for six months.
Daniel Hawkins, of Cannons Creek, was charged with travelling at a ‘speed dangerous’ after being allegedly detected at 43 km/h over the speed limit by police on 9 August.
At Dandenong Magistrates’ Court, judge Jack Vandersteen said the “incredibly fast speed” was made more dangerous by the combination of intermittent showers, Hawkins’ overtaking manoeuvres, defects to the vehicle’s front axle and front tyres without tread.
Hawkins allegedly told police at the time of the incident he wasn’t aware what speed he was doing.
Mr Vandersteen asked Hawkins if his children were in the car at the time.
Hawkins said he wouldn’t have done it if they were in the car.
Asked if his back injury was caused by a car accident, Hawkins replied in the negative, saying he sustained it at work while lifting a 20-kilogram container of water.
Mr Vandersteen said Hawkins was fortunate police pulled him over before he had a fatal crash.
He was also fined $750.
