Newly licensed teen loses licence after two burnouts in front of Highway Patrol
A 17-year-old lost his licence for one year after performing two burnouts in a car park, unaware Highway Patrol officers were watching.
On July 4, a West Wollongong teen with his provisional licence for just five days drove his white Mitsubishi Lancer into a car park at Skydive Australia. In front of up to 40 people, he did a handbrake turn, locked his back wheels, spun 180 degrees and sped off with smoke from his tyres.
Minutes later, he returned and repeated the stunt, adding two full 360-degree spins. Unaware that Highway Patrol officers were in the same car park, he was caught.
He pleaded guilty to charges of prolonging loss of traction and risking public safety. His defence lawyer called it peer pressure and stupidity.
Judge Michael Love rejected a request to dismiss the charges without conviction, calling it an absolute absurdity. The judge said the teen had risked mowing down people and showed the least responsibility.
He was convicted, fined $1,250 and banned from driving for one year.
- 17 years old
- Age
- 5 days
- Licence held
- July 4, 9.30pm
- Date
- up to 40 people
- Witnesses
Why it mattersReckless driving by young, newly licensed drivers puts lives at risk. The sentence shows courts take these dangers seriously.
AustraliaNSW courts are cracking down on dangerous driving by provisional licence holders, sending a clear message about the risks of showing off behind the wheel.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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