Teen learner driver in court after giving sister’s name to police

After she was busted behind the wheel unsupervised and speeding, a Central Queensland teen girl gave police a false name - her sister’s.

A 16-year-old girl has faced court at Yeppoon for three driving offences. Generic image.

A 16-year-old learner driver has faced court in Central Queensland after police clocked her doing 73kmh in a 60 zone while not supervised.

The girl pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Children’s Court on Thursday to speeding, driving while unsupervised and not displaying L-plates.

Police prosecutor Claudia Neill-Ballantine said about 4.15pm on August 28, police were conducting mobile patrols when they caught the girl speeding at Zilzie.

“Police activated emergency lights and sirens and conducted a U-turn and intercepted the vehicle,” Ms Neill-Ballantine said.

The court heard the girl was the only person in the car at the time.

Yeppoon Courthouse.

“(She) initially provided a false name, being her sister’s name,” Ms Neill-Ballantine said.

“After a conversation where (she) was told her licence would be suspended due to demerit point allocation, (she) provided her actual name and produced her Queensland driver’s licence confirming her identity.”

The girl had no traffic history.

Solicitor Oscar Millroy said the girl, whose father was in court to support her, was employed full-time.

Mr Millroy submitted a reprimand would be appropriate.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale agreed that was the appropriate course of action as the Youth Justice Act applied to the girl.

“In relation to the three charges I reprimand you - it’s a silly thing to do because if you had an accident, you’re not covered by insurance because you’re not driving in accordance with insurance requirements,” Ms Beckinsale said.

“Speeding’s dangerous in itself.”

No conviction was recorded.