24-year-old Smith's Parish man $500 in fines yesterday.

Tracey Tucker, of Broken Hill Road, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to speeding at 54 kph, and to both charges of driving without due care.

Sgt. Earl Kirby, prosecuting, said Tucker was not paying attention on December 19 while driving on Middle Road, Devonshire near Vesey Street.

He said Tucker's car struck a motorcycle which had stopped because the car in front had stopped.

Five days later Tucker was travelling north on Woodlands Road in Pembroke when he proceeded to turn right in to J.S. Vallis without due care, added Sgt.

Kirby.

Tucker was then seen speeding on March 10 on Middle Road, Devonshire.

But lawyer Mr. Peter Farge asked Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis to take into consideration that it was Tucker's first speeding offence.

He said "minimal damage'' was caused in both of the due care incidents and Tucker paid for the damages.

Mr. Farge also said Tucker, who has a masonry and painting business, is set to apply for a light-van licence.

"So having his licence is of considerable importance to him,'' he told Mr.

Francis. "I ask you to be as lenient as possible.'' But Mr. Francis said: "There's too much tailgating going on. You're supposed to keep a sufficient distance so that if someone runs into an emergency, he can stop without getting hit from behind.'' He fined Tucker $100 for speeding and $200 for each driving without due care charge.