BALLARAT — After receiving his tenth ticket in three years, Trent Rawlins has told friends and family that this latest $317 speeding fine is “definitely” the one that will make him ease off the accelerator and finally embrace a life of caution on the roads.
“This is the wake-up call I needed,” said Rawlins, who has previously described speed cameras as “government cash grabs”.
“But yeah, nah, this one’s different,” he continued, referring to the penalty notice he received after allegedly driving 78km/h in a 60 zone in Wendouree. “I’ve matured. I’ve got a wife and kids. No more flying down Gillies Street like I’m in Fast & Furious: Sovereign Hill Drift.”
His wife, Melinda, told The Bendigo Standard. “He says that every time,” while filing the fine under a fridge magnet labelled Trent’s Donations to the State Government.
Local authorities remain sceptical. “We see this a lot,” said Constable Erin Croft of Ballarat Highway Patrol. “Personally, I think he’s full of it.”
At press time, Trent told a mate that he’s “basically a safer driver already” shortly before running a red light because he “didn’t want to stop twice in one block.”
