Mercedes Seized: P-plater accused of overtaking ‘line of traffic’ at 200kmh

A TEENAGE P-plater allegedly caught tearing down the Hume Highway at more than 200km/h on Easter Monday told police he was in a hurry to get to Canberra.

The 19-year-old’s black Mercedes-Benz coupe was confiscated for three months after the high-speed incident near Holbrook on April 6.

Police allege officers from Murray River Highway Patrol spotted the vehicle overtaking a “long line of traffic” at dangerous speed about 3.30pm.

According to police, the driver hit the brakes as officers checked the vehicle’s speed, with an alleged reading of 211km/h before it dropped to 198km/h.

Photo: NSW Police

The car was stopped and the driver, a 19-year-old man from Craigieburn in Victoria, underwent roadside drug and alcohol testing, with both returning negative results.

When asked why he was allegedly travelling so fast, police say the teen told officers he was trying to get to Canberra before 8pm.

He was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice to appear before Holbrook Local Court in May, charged with dangerous driving and exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h.

His Mercedes-Benz was also confiscated for three months, with the driver to cover the associated costs, while his licence was suspended pending the outcome of the matter.