A man who was upset and arguing with his girlfriend used a cycle lane to get around a traffic queue and caused a crash, Police Prosecutor Rachel Willemsen told Whanganui District Court.
Matthew Ryan Douglas Davey was forbidden to drive on February 24. On February 28 he was arguing with his girlfriend while driving when he came across a queue of traffic.
At a speed of 60-70kph he headed into the cycle lane to avoid it, and didn't notice that other cars were letting a vehicle cross Pitt St.
The vehicle was struck on its left rear side and hit a lamp post. Davey was charged with being unlicensed and failing to comply, and with dangerous driving. He pleaded guilty to both charges on March 28, and was convicted.
District Court Judge Philip Crayton suggested a restorative justice process with the victim, if that person is willing, as a chance to address some of the human cost.
Davey is now on bail until July 12, and must not drive unless he has a valid licence.
Also charged with dangerous driving was 19-year-old Trent Walker, who pleaded guilty to that and to another charge of driving with alcohol in his breath.
The court heard that Walker was driving in Duncan St on January 14 when police asked him to stop. He passed about 50 properties at a speed of 93kph before stopping.
He was found to have alcohol in his breath, which is not allowed for drivers under 20. He has never held a driving licence and had three others in the car, none of them with licences.
He has no record of previous offending.
Duty solicitor Anna Brosnahan said the driving was a "recipe for disaster". Walker said he drove to give a mate a ride home.
He was sentenced to nine months' disqualification, before he can apply for a licence. He must also do 100 hours' community work, possibly with an agency.