Kulani Stewart: Callala Bay business woman busted speeding

A South Coast businesswoman, who boasts a “poor” traffic record with six previous suspensions, has been busted speeding almost 50km above the limit on a busy highway, telling responding police she “was a bit over”.

Kulani Stewart leaving Nowra Local Court. Picture: Tom McGann

A South Coast businesswoman with six previous licence suspensions conceded to police she was “a bit over” after being caught speeding almost 50km above the limit.

Kulani Stewart, 42, fronted Nowra Local Court on Wednesday in a bid to appeal an impending licence suspension, after she was caught speeding 126km/h in an 80km/h zone in Tomerong.

Court documents state the Callala Bay woman was driving her Jeep along the Princes Hwy through the Shoalhaven town on October 19 last year, when a police-operated radar gun clocked her speeding while passing another vehicle.

The officer chased Stewart before pulling her over, where she conceded she was speeding.

“Speed? Yeah, I was a bit over,” court documents state she told the officer.

Kulani Stewart appealed her infringement in Nowra Local Court. Picture: John Appleyard

Despite speeding 46km/h above the limit, the officer only issued an infringement of travelling above 30km/h, but under 40km/h, allowing her to keep her licence until the impending suspension came into effect.

Stewart opted to appeal the suspension, taking her case to Nowra Local Court before Magistrate Lisa Viney.

Kulani Stewart was speeding almost 50km over the limit. Picture: Tom McGann

“The officer displayed some leniency, otherwise your licence would have been suspended on the spot,” Ms Viney said.

Stewart’s lawyer told the court her client was unaware of the signed limit, saying it “did not appear on her GPS”.

However, Ms Viney said the speed was “enormous” and posed a “significant risk” to herself and the community.

“You’re lucky you didn’t kill yourself,” she said.

Ms Viney also acknowledged Stewart’s multiple prior licence suspensions, labelling her driving record “poor”.

Stewart’s licence suspension appeal was refused and a disqualification of six weeks was imposed.

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