In a recent development, officers from the Hunter Valley Highway Patrol apprehended an 18-year-old motorcyclist in Muswellbrook for dangerous driving and excessive speeding.
On the night of Friday, September 8th, 2023, members of the public reported two sports-style motorcycles recklessly roaming the Muswellbrook area. At 11:39 pm, officers located one of the motorcycles believed to be involved. Meanwhile, another sports motorcycle was observed racing towards them at speeds well over the 50 km/h posted limit.
In a daring attempt to halt the speeding motorcyclist, officers initiated a stop along Maitland Road, where the rider was clocked at no less than 160 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. The motorcycle even zoomed through a red traffic light intersection at a minimum of 100 km/h, and after clearing the intersection, continued at high speeds. Due to safety concerns posed by the wet road conditions, officers refrained from pursuing.
Fast forward to 1:05 am on September 9th, 2023, officers located the motorcycle and its rider concealed behind a dirt mound near The New England Highway in Muswellbrook. The 18-year-old male rider, a local resident, held a New South Wales class R learner’s license. The motorcycle in question was identified as a modified 2007 Yamaha R6. Subsequently, the male was arrested and taken to Muswellbrook Police Station to face charges.
At the police station, the male’s license was suspended and confiscated, while the motorcycle’s registration was canceled for a three-month period. The rider received a Court Attendance Notice, mandating his appearance at Muswellbrook Local Court on September 19th, 2023, on charges of exceeding the learner speed limit by over 45 km/h, failing to stop when directed, and driving at a dangerously high speed. He was released on bail pending his court appearance.
