Judge: NZ roads not racetrack

Photo / Brett Phibbs

A Saudi Arabian tourist caught driving between 130km/h and 140km/h near Te Anau told a judge that he was not aware what the speed limit was.

Eiad Abdelmohsen Alfares, 51, professor and practising doctor, appeared in Invercargill District Court charged with driving dangerously on July 17, the Southland Times, reported.

After being caught by police Alfares pleaded ignorance saying his rental company did not tell him what the speed limit was.

Judge Dominic Flatley, however, found this hard to believe telling Alfares that New Zealand roads were not a race track.

Alfares was fined $2000 and disqualified from driving for six months.

- NZPA