Driving instructor receives five penalty points

A DRIVING instructor from Sandwick who admitted carrying out an overtaking manoeuvre which resulted in two cars having to perform emergency stops to avoid a collision has received penalty points and a fine.

Charles Smith, of Setter, pled guilty at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to driving without due care or attention on the A970 near to the Cunningsburgh Primary School on 22 February.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the 71 year old was frustrated because he thought a vehicle in front of him wasn’t accelerating quickly enough.

Both the oncoming vehicle and the car Smith was overtaking had to perform emergency stops.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said the incident occurred after a 20mph zone and he added that his client had been thwarted by a “small blind spot”.

The solicitor said Smith had been a driving instructor for 35 years and was “embarrassed” by the incident, which he suggested could have been partly caused by the instructor having other things on his mind.

Sheriff Philip Mann gave Smith five penalty points and fined him £250.