Melissa Gai Clark in Rockhampton court for speeding and evading police

A mum of two doing 60km over the speed limit says she did not stop for a car with flashing lights because she did not believe it was a police vehicle.

Capricorn Highway between Rockhampton and Gracemere.

A single mother of two evaded an unmarked cop car, claiming she was not entirely convinced it was a police vehicle, after she was clocked speeding more than 60 km over the limit on a Central Queensland highway.

Melissa Gai Clark, 47, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on September 28 to one count each of disobeying the speed limit and evading police.

Police prosecutor Corey O’Connor said police were travelling west on the Capricorn Highway between Rockhampton and Gracemere in an unmarked car on July 20 at 10.08pm when they clocked a purple Ford Falcon Sedan travelling at 145 km/h in an 80 km/h zone.

Mr O’Connor said the driver evaded police.

“The Capricorn Highway is signed in many places from Rockhampton to Gracemere, advising motorists the speed limit is 80 km/h,” he said.

He said police attended Clark’s home address on August 21 and spoke to her.

Mr O’Connor said Clark told police she was the driver but did not wish to discuss the matter further.

Defence lawyer Allan Grant said his client could offer no particular explanation for speeding other than she was not watching her speed limit

“She was cautious whether the vehicle was in fact a police vehicle and had some reservations, although she did see the lights flash on the dash of the vehicle,” he said.

“Later she realised she should have stopped.

“Her initial concern was she was not entirely convinced it was a police vehicle.”

Clark was fined $9520 and disqualified from driving for two years with convictions recorded.