Truckie who ran red light in Leongatha has faced court

A South Gippsland man has faced court after he drove through a red light in a semi trailer, with meth in his system.

A South Gippsland man has been let off with a fine after he drove a truck through a red light while on meth in late 2021.

Jason Dusting, 41, pleaded guilty in the Korumburra Magistrate’s Court on Monday where a magistrate told him he “needed to obey the road rules”.

The court heard Dusting, who owns a transport company, was seen by police on November 10, 2021 entering the traffic lights on Bear St, Leongatha.

The traffic lights were amber and turned to red.

Dusting, driving a semi trailer, drove through the red light about 11.30am.

Police pulled Dusting over and he underwent a drug test which later revealed the 41-year-old had meth present in his system.

Jason Dusting, 41, faced the Korumburra Magistrate’s Court on Monday where a magistrate told him he needed to obey the road rules.

The court heard Dusting denied to police taking any illicit substances and said he had only taken prescribed medication in the past few weeks.

In his police interview Dusting said he “hadn’t been witness” to the result of the first drug test taken that day.

Magistrate Tim Walsh disqualified Dusting from driving for 12 months, which the court heard would take a “huge toll” on him, owning a transport company and having to drive hours every fortnight to see his 11-year-old daughter.

“I know truck drivers are often in a hurry to meet deadlines but it is important that you obey the road rules,” Mr Walsh said.

“We occasionally read about tragedies happening because of this kind of thing.

“It is concerning that you went straight through.”

Dusting also faced court for breaching intervention order matters.

He was fined $900 for the driving matter and $300 for the breach on an intervention order.