HAMILTON highway patrol police officers have been left extremely disappointed after intercepting a P-plate driver between Hamilton and Dunkeld on the Strathkellar Road, travelling at 143kmh.

Hamilton police highway patrol unit Sergeant Darren Smart said the speeding driver was caught at about 1.15pm on Monday.

The driver, who had only had his licence for about six months, was also carrying a passenger, and was issued with an $817 on the spot fine and will have his licence suspended for six months.

“He was only 18 years old,” Sgt Smart said.

“It’s a ridiculous speed for any driver in a 100km zone.

“Add to that the fact he was so inexperienced and a P-1 driver who obviously had not done a lot of driving - it just compounds it and makes it more dangerous.

“After the road trauma suffered last year – to see that kind of behaviour on the roads is very disappointing.

“He gave no reason why he was going so fast.”

During Operation Amity over the Australia Day long weekend, Hamilton Police also caught a driver who had failed to stop at a stop sign in Martin Street, Hamilton right next to the Hamilton Police Station.

Police were targeting speed, drink and drug driving and fatigue with an anticipated increase in traffic across the state over the long weekend.

The out-of-town driver was intercepted at about 6pm and returned a positive preliminary alcohol breath test.

He then accompanied police to the Hamilton Police Station for an evidentiary breath test where he blew .157 – more than three times the legal limit.

Sergeant Smart said the driver would be charged with drink driving and will be summonsed to appear in the Hamilton Magistrates Court, where he will face a mandatory 15 months off the road with a hefty fine.

“He’s gone through the stop sign at a high rate of speed which was very reckless,” Sergeant Smart said.

“It’s estimated he went through the stop sign at something like 60kmh.

“It was fortunate that no one was hurt.”

“He was then required to undertake an evidentiary breath test where he gave a reading of .157.

“That’s over three times the legal limit.”