News / Road rage lands drivers in the dock
A CASE of road rage landed two Shetland drivers in the dock on Thursday, where they both almost lost their driving licences after admitting careless driving.
Lerwick Sheriff Court heard that on 2 November last year 23 year old engineer Jason McLean, of Leraback, Upp Sound, Lerwick, was driving behind his girlfriend after picking up a takeaway in Brae when they became separated by a third vehicle.
The Ford Escort, with three young passengers, was being driven by 20 year old delivery driver Ryan Williamson, of 14 Leaside, Mossbank.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said that there had been a history of bullying between the two men that may have provoked what followed.
McLean drove his old Toyota Hilux pick up truck too close behind the Ford on the A968 near Sullom Voe oil terminal before overtaking him.
Williamson then pulled his car up alongside the pickup in an unsuccessful attempt to get him to stop.
“This was extreme foolishness and there could have been very serious consequences indeed and it’s very fortunate that there wasn’t. These two men should put their petty disagreement into context and stay away from each other,” Mr Mackenzie said.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said that McLean had gone to the police about the incident the following day claiming that Williamson had driven too close to his girlfriend, he had been “gestured at” and objects had been hurled from the other car, one of which cracked his windscreen.
However Gregor Kelly, acting for Williamson, said his client knew nothing of any gesticulating or thrown objects.
He said that he had pulled alongside to wind down his window and “find out what was going on” after McLean had overtaken him erratically.
Sheriff Graeme Napier told the two men their driving had been “appalling”. He said: “I was minded to disqualify both of you. This sort of aggressive behaviour leads to very serious accidents.”
Instead he fined both men £900 and gave them nine penalty points, which means that Williamson will revert to a provisional licence and have to resit his test.
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