A learner driver detected at 143 kilometres an hour above the speed limit in "one of the highest speeds ever captured" on South Australian roads was also allegedly on drugs at the time, police say.
The 20-year-old Smithfield man, was driving a black Holden ute on the North-South Motorway at Waterloo Corner in Adelaide's north on Monday evening.
Police allege the vehicle was clocked at 253kph in a 110kph zone about 6:30pm — just before it broke down — by a police patrol conducting speed detection duties.
"The Holden ute suffered mechanical failure and police were able to catch up to the car to speak to the driver," police said.
The man only held a learner's permit, and his passenger was also not a full licence holder.
The driver also allegedly returned a positive drug test, which will be sent to Forensic Science SA for further analysis, police said.
"[The] extreme speeder was nabbed at Waterloo Corner last night with one of the highest speeds ever captured [on SA roads]," police said.
He was reported for aggravated extreme speed, driving in a dangerous manner, breaching his learner's permit, and driving an unregistered motor vehicle.
The man lost his learner's licence for 12 months and his vehicle will be impounded for a total of 28 days.
Police said he would appear in court at a later date.
