A LOCAL magistrate has made a desperate plea to young speeding drivers amid a statewide surge in road trauma this year.
While sentencing a 25-year-old Tatong man at the Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Monday for driving at 170km/h at Markwood on 28 February this year, Magistrate Victoria Campbell said she had heard far too many incidents of drivers reaching high speeds on country roads so far in 2025.
“Young men, fast cars and country roads are a fatal combination… I’ve lost count how many times I’ve said that to someone this year,” she said.
“I don’t know what it’s going to take to get this message through to young drivers.”
Magistrate Campbell told the court she personally knew two families who have been impacted by fatal incidents involving high speeds on North East roads this year and several others through her work.
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The Tatong man appeared in court with his mother, who Magistrate Campbell said was fortunate to be with her son at court rather than his funeral.
So far in 2025, 143 lives have been lost on Victorian roads, 14 more than this time last year.
The court heard the 25-year-old told officers after his intercept on Snow Road he was “being an idiot”, and had his licence immediately suspended.
Defence counsel Geoff Clancy said the incident was life changing for his client.
Magistrate Campbell disqualified the Tatong man for driving for the minimum 12 months and imposed a $1000.
The defendant was also ordered to complete a safe driving program.
