A 17-year-old P Plater has been fined and has lost her licence after allegedly being caught travelling more than 70km/h over the posted speed limit at Gowrie Mountain on 7 August.
Around 5pm, police were conducting patrols along the Warrego Highway when they intercepted a Honda Jazz allegedly travelling at 171km/h in a 100km/h zone.
The teenage girl had only held her licence for approximately seven weeks.
The P-Plater was issued with a traffic infringement notice for exceeding the speed limit by more than 40km/h and was fined $1,986, incurred eight demerit points and had her licence suspended for six months.
Darling Downs District Officer Acting Superintendent Kelly Hanlen said the incident highlighted the serious consequences that can result from excessive speed.
"Travelling at 171km/h on a public road is extremely dangerous, particularly for someone who has only been driving for six weeks," A/Superintendent Hanlen said.
"At that speed, there is very little margin for error. A sudden hazard, change in road conditions or mistake by another driver can have devastating consequences.
"Speeding is not a harmless traffic offence. The faster you travel, the less time you have to react and the greater the potential for serious injury or death if something goes wrong."
Police continue to urge all motorists, particularly newly licensed drivers, to obey the speed limit and make responsible decisions behind the wheel.
The Queensland Police Service is committed to reducing the number of lives lost on our roads. However, enforcement alone cannot stop all dangerous driving behaviours.
Every choice you make behind the wheel, matters. Driving under the influence, speeding, driving distracted or while fatigued, or not wearing a seatbelt puts your life – and the lives of others – at serious risk. These dangerous behaviours will not be tolerated.
Queenslanders can expect police – anywhere, anytime.
Road safety starts with you.
