Tasmania Police has expressed alarm over a recent string of high-range speeding offences involving provisional drivers on the state’s roads, including several incidents on Hobart’s Eastern Shore.

In a statement released Monday, 10 August, Inspector Vanessa Castle of Southern Road Policing Services described some of the alleged behaviour as “terrifying”. Her comments followed an incident on Friday night where officers from Southern Road Policing Services intercepted a 17-year-old P1 licence holder allegedly travelling at 134km/h in an 80km/h zone on the East Derwent Highway.

Tasmania Police said the driver, who was 54km/h above the speed limit, will be issued with an infringement notice for exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h. This carries a penalty of a $1225 fine, six demerit points, and a four-month driving disqualification. The vehicle, which police said was registered to a family member, will be clamped for 28 days.

“Travelling at this speed dramatically reduces a driver’s ability to react to hazards and significantly increases the risk of serious injury or death if a crash occurs,” Inspector Castle said in the police media release. “A crash at that speed will have tragic consequences.”

The incident was not isolated, according to police. Another P-plate driver was allegedly detected on the Eastern Shore, with a 19-year-old P1 driver clocked at 120km/h in an 80km/h zone in Geilston Bay. Police noted this driver had only held their provisional licence for three days.

Other recent incidents reported by Tasmania Police include a provisional driver detected speeding 36km/h over the limit at Buckland and a 20-year-old man in Launceston found hooning while his P1 licence was suspended.

Inspector Castle said provisional drivers are still gaining experience and that excessive speed puts the driver, passengers, and other road users at serious risk. She urged parents and mentors to help educate young drivers about the risks.

Police have stated they will continue with high-visibility and targeted road safety patrols across Tasmania. They encourage anyone who witnesses dangerous driving to report it to police on 131 444 or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. The original police media release can be found on the Tasmania Police website.