Police catch 78-year-old man driving at dangerous speeds—his reason will shock you!

In a surprising incident on one of Australia’s busiest highways, an elderly man was recently apprehended for allegedly driving at an alarming speed well over the limit.

This event has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions about road safety and the responsibilities of drivers, regardless of age.

As authorities continue to address reckless driving behaviour, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to speed limits to ensure the safety of all road users.


A 78-year-old man was recently apprehended in Queensland for driving at a perilous speed, far exceeding the legal limit.

The senior citizen was caught on the Leichhardt Highway at Guluguba, travelling at a shocking 150km/h in a zone designated for 100km/h.

The incident occurred on a serene Saturday evening, just before 6:00 PM, when police officers on patrol detected the Ford Territory zooming past.


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A 78-year-old man was fined $1,854 and lost eight demerit points for allegedly exceeding the speed limit by 50km/h on Queensland's Leichhardt Highway. Credit: Facebook / Queensland Police Service


The body cam footage captured the moment the elderly driver was pulled over and questioned by an officer.

‘I stopped to have a chat with you cause you're zooming along there…you're not dying on the way to hospital or anything? What's the hurry?’ the police officer asked.

The driver's six-word explanation for his excessive speed was as simple as it was surprising: ‘I've got to feed the horses.’


‘So, no life-threatening emergency?’ the officer responded, then proceeded to inform the driver that the 78-year-old was detected driving at 150 km/h.

‘If I've got someone doing a speed on a busy highway like this, 50ks over the limit, you're absolutely getting a ticket for 50ks over the limit,’ he continued.

‘Being more than 40kms over the speed limit it is the highest speeding ticket that you can receive.’

The consequences for the senior driver were severe: a hefty fine of $1,854 and a loss of eight demerit points.

This serves as a stark reminder that traffic laws are in place for a reason, and breaking them can lead to significant penalties.


Sergeant Isaiah Reich, in his remarks following the incident, underscored the importance of road safety.

He reminded motorists that arriving late is always better than not arriving at all.

‘It is not just your life that you are putting at risk, travelling at those kinds of speeds endangers the lives of every other person on the road,’ he explained.

‘Driving at a high speed reduces your reaction time and ability to stop quickly, and there can be catastrophic consequences as a result.’

The state's Department of Transport and Main Roads reported that 208 people have lost their lives on Queensland roads this year, which is one more than the total for 2023.


The recent incident involving a 78-year-old man caught driving significantly over the speed limit on Queensland's Leichhardt Highway highlights ongoing concerns about road safety and driver behaviour.

As discussions around responsible driving practices intensify, many individuals, regardless of age, may find themselves resorting to bold excuses to evade consequences, such as hefty fines and potential license suspensions.

This raises important questions about accountability and the lengths to which drivers might go to avoid penalties.
Key Takeaways
  • A 78-year-old man was fined $1,854 and lost eight demerit points for allegedly driving 50km/h over the speed limit on the Leichhardt Highway in Queensland.
  • Police officers caught the elderly man driving at a dangerous speed of 150km/h in a 100km zone, and when pulled over, he claimed he needed to feed the horses.
  • Body cam footage captured the exchange between the officer and the man, where the man received the highest possible speeding ticket for driving more than 40km/h over the limit.
  • Sergeant Isaiah Reich reminded the public about the risks of high-speed driving, emphasising that it can have catastrophic consequences and endanger lives on the road.
  • The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads reported 208 road fatalities this year, one more than the previous year.
Have you noticed any changes in your driving as you've gotten older? Do you feel that the roads in your area are safe, and do drivers respect the speed limits? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and let's have a conversation about keeping our roads safe for everyone.
 
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In this case it was a man old enough to know better, but the way some young people drive these days makes the road a very dangerous place. Putting a 17 year old person in charge of a powerful car, has to have consequences. Should be stricter rules when driving licenses are handed out, such as.... a P plate driver can only drive a smaller car and not a powerful 6 cylinder car and only 1 passenger allowed. 🤔
 
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Hello, what a stupid and irresponable answer is that? possible a couple over the limit, but 50? Maybe I shouldnt be a critic, as when I was younger person I was cautioned for exceeding the speed limit on a NSW highwa, out west, on a section that had just been sealed, so yep can still recall that incident,
 
In this case it was a man old enough to know better, but the way some young people drive these days makes the road a very dangerous place. Putting a 17 year old person in charge of a powerful car, has to have consequences. Should be stricter rules when driving licenses are handed out, such as.... a P plate driver can only drive a smaller car and not a powerful 6 cylinder car and only 1 passenger allowed. 🤔
hello, do believe that applies to the , think, green P plate, that is in qld, a limit on passengers and engine capacity along with non turbo. do not think it has changed.
 
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Anyone driving at such speeds deserves all that's coming to them. In saying that the only reason I could see excessive speed being used would be if the driver was taking a person to a hospital whilst that person was enduring an extreme medical emergency.....but still not at that speed all the same...
One wrong move and it could claim innocent lives and substantial injuries if an accident was caused because of the speeding.
ps...the horses were not going to die if they were fed later than usual.
 
Sorry I have no sympathy for idiots and fools on the road; at his age he should have had more sense. More testosterone and bravado between his ears, than brain cells. if you are stupid enough to travel 50Kmh above the speed limit, then you deserve everything you get. The roads are not your personal racetrack. It is not the speed that kills; it is that sudden stop at the end, a tree, light post or brick-wall will do it every time. He should thank the police for stopping him; potentially saving his own and the lives of others, should he have crashed his vehicle. Imagine being responsible for killing an innocent road user through your own stupidity. These idiots do not consider the impact their actions would have on them, their own family and that of the victim's family. Crazy.
 
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Reactions: Chris and magpie1
Sorry I have no sympathy for idiots and fools on the road; at his age he should have had more sense. More testosterone and bravado between his ears, than brain cells. if you are stupid enough to travel 50Kmh above the speed limit, then you deserve everything you get. The roads are not your personal racetrack. It is not the speed that kills; it is that sudden stop at the end, a tree, light post or brick-wall will do it every time. He should thank the police for stopping him; potentially saving his own and the lives of others, should he have crashed his vehicle. Imagine being responsible for killing an innocent road user through your own stupidity. These idiots do not consider the impact their actions would have on them, their own family and that of the victim's family. Crazy.
Well said could not agree more.
Kind regards Vicki
 
In this case it was a man old enough to know better, but the way some young people drive these days makes the road a very dangerous place. Putting a 17 year old person in charge of a powerful car, has to have consequences. Should be stricter rules when driving licenses are handed out, such as.... a P plate driver can only drive a smaller car and not a powerful 6 cylinder car and only 1 passenger allowed. 🤔
At that speed they should re test to see if he is fit to drive.
 

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