Speeding driver: 'It's just Hampden'

A 17-year-old who failed to stop for police later told them he believed he could drive fast because it was "just Hampden" he was travelling through.

The Oamaru District Court heard yesterday that at 10.30pm on September 22, Jefferey William Ley, a dairy worker of Morven, caught the attention of police after he unnecessarily accelerated to 80km/h on Lincoln St, Hampden - a 50km/h area.

He then failed to stop for police red and blue flashing lights, drove recklessly and exceeded the speed limit, until eventually pulling over outside the Moeraki Boulders Holiday Park, formerly known as Hampden Beach Camp Ground.

Ley was convicted, fined $600 and disqualified from driving for six months for reckless driving on Norwich St on September 22.

He was also convicted, fined $300 and disqualified from driving for six months for failing to stop for police flashing lights and exceeding the speed limit on September 22. He was further convicted, fined $500 and disqualified from driving for six months for an unnecessary exhibition of acceleration on Lincoln St in Hampden on September 22.

Police prosecutor Ross Hutton said that when stopped Ley told police he had driven fast because he was "trying to be cool" and show off his new vehicle.

He also told police: "It's just Hampden, I thought I could drive fast."

Defence counsel Ngaire Alexander said Ley drove off from police out of panic but later "came to his senses", eventually pulling up outside the motor camp. She said he had shown "immaturity".

Ms Alexander said the outcome could have been a lot worse as he could have easily collected another car, because the road was busy at the time.

Judge Brian Callaghan said nationally there were plenty of examples of fatalities when people failed to stop for police.

"[It is] often innocent people who are on the road, going about their own business," Judge Callaghan said.

"Fortunately for you, no one was injured," the judge said.

"You told police you were trying to be cool, but it looks to me like you were probably trying to be killed."

Judge Callaghan said research showed that, until the early 20s, brains were not developed sufficiently for driving and as a result young people, like Ley, took risks while driving.

"Young people take risks and don't think of ... the consequences," he said.