A teenager has admitted speeding on a Highland road.
Grant Anderson his 81mph on a straight stretch of the A99 at Hempriggs, near Wick.
The speed limit at the spot is 60mph.
Anderson appeared at Wick Sheriff Court yesterday – the day after his 18th birthday – and admitted the offence.
Sheriff Andrew Berry was told the teenager had made a “gross error of judgment”.
The court also heard that Anderson, of 3 Bella Mackay Place, Thrumster, relied on his car to make the 30-mile trip to work at the submarine testing establishment at Vulcan, near Dounreay.
The offence was committed on September 26.
Sheriff Berry told Anderson: “The consequences of speeding can be very, very serious.
“We all know about the dangers that can occur when young drivers, looking for driving experience, drive too fast.
“What I am dealing with today is a speeding charge, not one of dangerous driving, but sometimes there is a fine line between driving too fast, as you were, and something much more serious happening, causing death and misery to all manner of people.”
The sheriff added: “I gather you are already aware of that, but I hope the message will get through to other young drivers.”
First offender Anderson was fined £200 and had three penalty points added to his licence.