Self-confessed revhead admits $300 fine isn't a deterrent
Exclusive: A self-confessed rev head who hasn't held a licence in three decades admits the $300 fine he copped for getting behind the wheel isn't a strong enough deterrent to stop rogue drivers doing the same thing.
Michael Laurent, from Boronia in Melbourne's outer east, pleaded guilty at Dandenong Magistrates' Court to driving without a licence after being nabbed by police late last year.
To his surprise, the Holden enthusiast, who did not have a lawyer, said he received a "small" fine of $300 with a conviction.
Michael Laurent copped a $300 fine. A Current Affair
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"I just thought, 'wow'," Laurent said.
"(The magistrate) was lenient with me and more lenient than what I expected but I was happy with it."
The 62-year-old said he had only driven "three or four times" in the last 30 years but he had been caught on each of those occasions.
Michael Laurent pleaded guilty at Dandenong Magistrates' Court to driving without a licence. A Current Affair
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"At my age, I should know better," he said.
Laurent said his licence was torn up in 1991 after he was charged with failing to blow into a breathalyser due to his asthma.
But he admitted he "should have been charged with drink driving".
Michael Laurent. A Current Affair
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Founder of the Australian Road Safety Foundation, Russell White, called for an urgent national review of penalties for road users who break the rules.
"It sends the completely wrong message to people choosing to do the wrong thing," White said.
"It can be seen that there's very little consequence to bad behaviour and there's obviously a knock-on effect to the broader community."
Founder of the Australian Road Safety Foundation, Russell White. A Current Affair
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Laurent said he told the magistrate he had been in a bad car accident overseas so was too afraid to drive for a period of time.
He said he then tried to get his licence back on numerous occasions, including during COVID-19, but never went through with it.
"I've learnt my lesson. I've been caught enough times now," Laurent said.
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