Social media influencer Jennifer Suluka’s licence suspended for using mobile phone
With 20,000 Instagram followers, Jennifer Suluka long ago mastered the art of the selfie. But the lure of using her mobile phone behind the wheel has left her without a licence.
Central Coast
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A magistrate has warned provisional drivers they have “no points to play with” given the introduction of mobile phone detection cameras.
It comes as a social media influencer lost her licence for two weeks after she was busted using a mobile phone while driving.
Representing herself, Jennifer Suluka, of Bateau Bay, appeared at Gosford Local Court on Friday.
The court heard she was a P1 driver who was caught using her mobile phone, which triggered an automatic licence suspension for three months.
The 26-year-old appealed the suspension and told the court she would “like to request a Section 10”.
Magistrate Jennifer Atkinson told her a Section 10 only related to criminal charges.
“This is the first time you’ve had a matter before the court,” Ms Atkinson said.
“There’s been fine suspensions.”
Ms Suluka, who boasts 20,600 followers on Instagram, told the court she “just needs my licence for work”.
In the grounds she set out for appealing the suspension Ms Suluka included several references and said “this kind of behaviour is extremely out of character for myself.”
“I am a fit proper person to hold a driver’s license (sic),” she wrote.
“I am a good sense of character. I need my drivers license (sic) for work. I am knowledgeable about road rules. This is my first conviction with the law. I would like to apologise and request my suspension is reviewed.”
The Roads and Maritime Services solicitor opposed the appeal, arguing provisional drivers “know about mobile phones”.
Ms Atkinson said “there’s now new cameras being installed” and Ms Suluka “should have known”.
“P-platers have no points to play with,” she told Ms Suluka.
Ms Atkinson dismissed the appeal but reduced the minimum period of suspension to two weeks.