Cooper William Kjorstad caught driving 40km/h over limit in Gympie

A young driver has told a shocked magistrate he was driving 40km/h over the speed limit on Power Road because he was in a hurry to get home after working out at the gym.

Cooper Kjorstad outside Gympie Courthouse on July 17, 2025.

A young man was clocked driving more than 40km/h over the speed limit on a suburban Southside road.

Cooper William Kjorstad appeared at Gympie Magistrate’s Court on July 17 to apply for a special hardship order, after his licence was suspended for speeding on Power Road where the speed limit is mostly 70km/h but 60km/h in places.

The order would allow Mr Kjorstad to continue driving under certain restrictions while his licence was suspended.

Magistrate Hughes said he could understand accidentally driving 10km over, but “what I don’t understand is how anyone can drive more than 40km over the speed limit.

“How does that happen?”

“I was on the way home from gym, I was just in a rush, I wasn’t thinking,” the 20-year-old said.

“But I need you to think,” the magistrate said.

Cooper William Kjorstad asked the magistrate to grant him a special hardship order after his licence was suspended for driving 40km/h over the speed limit on Power Road.

“I’m worried I might have been coming the other way, I’m worried about others, I’m worried about you.”

The former James Nash High student said he was “in a bad headspace at the time”, but had “moved past the issues”.

“Life’s going to hand you things you’re not going to be comfortable with at times, and one of the worst things you can do is get in the car and drive when you’re angry,” the magistrate said.

The court heard Mr Kjorstad had a previous six-month driving suspension and a history of traffic offences.

The magistrate said he needed time to consider the grant, and asked Mr Kjorstad to sit in the courtroom while he decided what to do.

When Mr Kjorstad’s matter was heard again shortly after, the magistrate said despite “reservations” he would grant him the special hardship order.

Mr Kjorstad also agreed to a driving safety course.