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Vic: Teen driving at high speeds during police blitz


19 Dec 2008 10:01 AM

MELBOURNE, Dec 19 AAP - A teenager has been caught driving almost double the speed limit in Melbourne's inner north.

Police said the 19-year-old Malvern man was clocked at 117km/h in a 60km/h zone in Lygon St, Carlton.

He was one of many motorists nabbed by police during Operation Quebec, which targeted Melbourne's major arterial roads on Thursday night.

Police issued 98 penalty notices to motorists for a range of offences including speeding, disqualified or suspended driving, disobeying traffic signals, unregistered vehicles, and seat belt offences.

While police were disturbed by the number of notices issued for mobile phone offences - 42 of the 98 notices - they were heartened that of the 175 drivers intercepted, not one returned a positive preliminary breath test.

Senior Sergeant Shane Pettingill of the Melbourne Traffic Management Unit warned drivers police would be out in force over the holiday season.

"We have warned drivers that this Christmas we are embarking on the biggest road safety campaign that Victoria has ever seen," he said.

"Police are out in force trying to ensure that the roads remain safe this holiday season."