News / Dangerous driving Dutchman banned
A DUTCHMAN working in Shetland over the summer has been banned from driving and fined £1,000 after smashing into another car while driving on the wrong side of the road.
The head on collision took place on 10 June at Weisdale near Kalliness on the main A971 road.
Evert Rog, aged 47, of De Lfgauw, in Holland, was driving a rental car south around a corner on the right hand side of the road when the accident happened.
Lerwick Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday that neither he nor the other driver had time to avoid each other and the other man had to be cut free from his vehicle and taken to hospital in Lerwick where he was treated for a broken femur, four broken toes and bruised ribs.
Fortunately, an off duty consultant from Lerwick’s Gilbert Bain Hospital was passing and able to offer medical help.
Rog, who suffered one broken finger and a laceration to his hips, pled guilty to dangerous driving by letter, but procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said he had been “extremely contrite and co-operative”.
Mr Mackenzie said: “This was clearly a very serious mistake, but in fairness to him he has accepted responsibility in a very responsible manner.”
Sheriff Graeme Napier said Rog had written that he had left Shetland on 6 July and did not intend to return to the isles to work.
The sheriff reduced the fine from £1,500 due to the early plea and said that if Rog wants to drive in the UK again he must sit the extended driving test.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.