Driving bans are meant to keep roads safe, but what happens when someone repeatedly ignores them?

A routine traffic stop in New South Wales quickly took an unexpected turn.

What followed was a shocking case of defiance that left authorities frustrated.

A man in New South Wales, who had already been banned from driving for nearly a century, was caught behind the wheel again, leading to further legal trouble.

On 9 March, officers from the Bathurst Traffic and Highway Patrol Command pulled over a Subaru on William Street for a routine breath test.

Police soon realised the 73-year-old driver was a ‘long-term disqualified driver’ whose licence had been revoked until 2117—another 92 years.

73-year-old caught driving despite 92-year ban. Image source: Pexel/Life Of Pix

He was arrested and taken to Bathurst Police Station, where he was charged with driving while disqualified.

His bail was refused, and authorities issued him with a number plate confiscation notice for operating a vehicle during a disqualification period.

This marked his third offence of this kind in the past five years.

In New South Wales, first-time offenders caught driving while disqualified can face up to six months in prison.

For repeat offenders, the penalty can increase to a maximum of 12 months behind bars.

While some drivers struggle to stay off the road after being banned, others defy expectations by continuing to drive well past the usual age.

Watch the video below to see an incredible story of someone who’s still behind the wheel at 107!

Source: Youtube/Inside Edition

In a previous story, another unexpected licence suspension made headlines, but for a very different reason.

A well-known radio star found herself off the road, and the reason behind it took many by surprise.

Read more to find out what happened!

Key Takeaways

• A 73-year-old New South Wales man, banned from driving until 2117, was caught behind the wheel again.
• Police stopped his vehicle on 9 March for a routine breath test and recognised him as a long-term disqualified driver.
• He was arrested, denied bail, and issued a number plate confiscation notice for his third offence in five years.
• In New South Wales, driving while disqualified can lead to up to six months in prison, with repeat offences carrying a maximum 12-month sentence.

With a driving ban lasting nearly a century, do you think harsher penalties would stop repeat offenders from getting behind the wheel? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

 

[deni67]

The mind boggles sometimes

 

[Suzanne rose]

Maybe a huge fine and a jail warning for repeat offenders
Doesn't matter what age. What's more important is saving lives.

Hubby loss both parents and a grandmother in a car accident in the 70s.

We loss a brother inlaw in a motor bike accident. The a nephew was killed in a motor bike accident 3 years ago.

Rules are there for a reason

 

[Andrew]

At what age is too old to drive?. We are all different. Will we have to prove we are physically and mentally capable to drive at a certain age?. I'm 76 , still have all of my faculties, and drive daily.

 

[IAN3005]

The cost involved in all the medical tests made it cost prohibitive to keep my license.

 

[Leenie]

Why wasn’t his vehicle confiscated, some people shouldn’t have a license in the first place , @Andrew others are capable of driving to any age , I have had my license now for 70 years and will be driving for many more years , unless something unforeseen happens.

 

[Isis]

If he doesn’t have a car he can’t drive just get rid of the car9

 

[mylittletibbies]

Why wasn’t his vehicle confiscated, some people shouldn’t have a license in the first place , @Andrew others are capable of driving to any age , I have had my license now for 70 years and will be driving for many more years , unless something unforeseen happens.

Considering his absolutely appalling record and contempt for the law I believe his car should be crushed and if he is caught again the same thing should happen until his thick head gets the message.
Or are they just going to wait until he kills someone.

 

[Littleboy8]

Considering his absolutely appalling record and contempt for the law I believe his car should be crushed and if he is caught again the same thing should happen until his thick head gets the message.
Or are they just going to wait until he kills someone.

Plus make him go and do community service in a rehab facility in a hospital and see the damage that’s done to people, from car accidents etc.

 

[Jan A]

Having no access to driving can be very isolating but that is no excuse to flout bans issued to protect the public from danger on the roads. Some serious action needs to be taken. Perhaps repeat offenders could have their Medicare entitlements suspended for a nominated time period. That would get their attention! Any Centrelink payments should be suspended. If they are in this country on a visa it should be cancelled and applications for citizenship revoked. Their vehicle should be confiscated and either crushed or sold to pay their fines. Prison terms or community service would be appropriate. Just having a court tell them not to drive is clearly not effective enough. They understand the requirements, but they are arrogant and don’t care. The point is to make them care by seeing how much it will cost them if they ignore the law.

 

[Suzanne rose]

My grandfather was 70 and had the on set of parkinsons . Being in the car with him we all agreed he shouldn't be driving. We spoke to the doctor and the doctor spoke to my grandfather and everyone agreed he needed to give up driving.

Each person is different.

In the case of this guy , he doesn't have a brain and as a repeat offender needs to be punished

 

[Veggiepatch]

Considering his absolutely appalling record and contempt for the law I believe his car should be crushed and if he is caught again the same thing should happen until his thick head gets the message.
Or are they just going to wait until he kills someone.

Just like the peanut at Daylesford in eastern Victoria who had a "medical episode" and killed five people a couple of years ago. He got off scot free!

The advantages of owning a BMW....

 

[Macarj]

At what age is too old to drive?. We are all different. Will we have to prove we are physically and mentally capable to drive at a certain age?. I'm 76 , still have all of my faculties, and drive daily.

I am only 68 and hope I can still drive until at least 88

 

[Mr Chips]

At what age is too old to drive?. We are all different. Will we have to prove we are physically and mentally capable to drive at a certain age?. I'm 76 , still have all of my faculties, and drive daily.

It can also be said, "What age is too young to drive?"

 

[Jan A]

It can also be said, "What age is too young to drive?"

Excellent point! To be frank, I would not trust my car to a 16.5, 17 or 18 year old (minimum driving age depends on the State or Territory of residence). Would you? A quick check on the internet of driving age in different countries showed that the minimum driving age in the vast majority of countries is 18. The fact that the minimum voting age is 18 in Australia means that no government is going to raise the driving age from 18 as the people negatively affected will be voters! Even insurance companies know the dangers posed, evidenced by the higher premiums charged for younger drivers. As it is, we will continue to hear of multiple fatalities connected with drivers under 20 years of age.

 

[IAN3005]

Excellent point! To be frank, I would not trust my car to a 16.5, 17 or 18 year old (minimum driving age depends on the State or Territory of residence). Would you? A quick check on the internet of driving age in different countries showed that the minimum driving age in the vast majority of countries is 18. The fact that the minimum voting age is 18 in Australia means that no government is going to raise the driving age from 18 as the people negatively affected will be voters! Even insurance companies know the dangers posed, evidenced by the higher premiums charged for younger drivers. As it is, we will continue to hear of multiple fatalities connected with drivers under 20 years of age.

I would not trust ANYONE with my vehicle. Does anyone consider the insurance?

 

[Isis]

At what age is too old to drive?. We are all different. Will we have to prove we are physically and mentally capable to drive at a certain age?. I'm 76 , still have all of my faculties, and drive daily.

With red driving age is subjective, my husband wasn’t safe at 76

I am only 68 and hope I can still drive until at least 88

I can only say that we don’t always know how safe we are, d

I am only 68 and hope I can still drive until at least 88

i no longer drive as have a problem with my eyes, my husband thought he was good, he was dreadful and I took over.

It can also be said, "What age is too young to drive?"

we may think we are the best drivers ever,n but if we drive with someone else they might not agree. Driv

It can also be said, "What age is too young to drive?"

so true, rat bag youngsters.but i see a lot of deflection re young drivers. This case is an old man who wouldn’t be banned without some proof that he is a crap driver.

 

[MariaG]

Why wasn’t his vehicle confiscated, some people shouldn’t have a license in the first place , @Andrew others are capable of driving to any age , I have had my license now for 70 years and will be driving for many more years , unless something unforeseen happens.

Yep. Into the crusher as they do in the USA. I'd reckon that would be fairly effective, especially when they make the owner watch.