Pensioner who caused crash escapes driving ban

A PENSIONER who admitted causing a crash in Voe which saw a Land Rover leave the road and roll five times has escaped a driving ban.

Kathleen Manson, of Norderhoull, Voe, was instead given nine penalty points and a fine of £250 at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday after admitting a charge of careless driving at the junction where the A970 and A968 meet on 23 February.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the 72 year old made “no attempt” to slow down her car at the junction and collided with the side of the Land Rover, causing “significant” damage.

The car went off the road and rolled five times, with the two occupants needing cut free by the fire brigade.

Mackenzie said the offence stemmed from a “catastrophic error of judgement”.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said the incident – which did not cause any lasting injury – created “considerable upset” for Manson, who had driven for 40 years.

He said his client couldn’t remember the exact details of the crash, but she didn’t see the car coming up the hill towards the junction.

Allan argued that Manson’s “unblemished record and genuine remorse” should see the pensioner, who used her car to provide assistance to people with mobility problems, avoid disqualification.

Sheriff Philip Mann said he understood that “things do happen”, but warned Manson that people on the road are “effectively driving a lethal weapon”.