Motorcyclist's Outrageous Road Rage Ends With Licence Suspension
A 62-year-old motorcyclist has been stripped of his driving privileges after an extraordinary road rage incident that saw him leap onto a moving car and cling to its bonnet for more than a kilometre. John Stanley Turner's dangerous antics unfolded in Mildura, north-west Victoria, culminating in his appearance at Mildura Magistrates Court on Monday where he faced multiple charges.
The Escalating Confrontation
The court heard how Turner's confrontation began on February 27 when he claimed a P-plate driver cut him off while he was riding through Mildura. Turner pulled over to confront the other driver before deliberately slowing down in front of their vehicle and making a rude gesture. The situation rapidly deteriorated when Turner slammed on his brakes, causing his motorcycle to be bumped from behind.
In a fit of anger, Turner then hurled his motorcycle helmet at the car's windscreen. The confrontation reached new heights when Turner stopped in front of the vehicle again and ripped off the driver's side mirror, throwing it onto the bonnet. The terrified occupants of the car immediately contacted police, who instructed them to drive to the nearest station for safety.
The Bizarre Bonnet Ride
What happened next stunned even experienced court officials. Turner launched himself onto the moving vehicle and clung to the bonnet for the entire 1.3km journey to the police station. Remarkably, he maintained his position even when the car stopped at a red light, using the opportunity to tear off one of the windscreen wipers.
Footage of the incident shows Turner eventually sliding off the bonnet and walking into the police station, while the traumatised group remained inside their vehicle. The court was told Turner caused damage worth $7,794.24 to the car during his rampage.
Court Consequences and Explanation
Despite initially facing 15 offences, Turner pleaded guilty to five charges including affray, dangerous driving and property damage. Magistrate Michael Coghlan described Turner's behaviour as 'outrageous' and 'disturbing', noting that he had reacted 'very poorly' to the situation.
Turner offered an explanation to 7NEWS, stating: 'I've got a very short fuse, I'll be honest, especially when I'm on the bike because you're that vulnerable, you haven't got any protection.' He added that he might have looked like a bad driver that night but claimed other motorists often drive dangerously around motorcyclists.
The court heard Turner had been having a bad day and decided to take a ride to clear his head when the incident occurred. A victim impact statement described Turner's rage as 'instant' and extremely frightening for the car's occupants.
As punishment, Turner received an eight-month licence suspension and a 12-month community corrections order including 100 hours of unpaid community work. The case serves as a stark warning about the dangers of road rage and its serious legal consequences.
