Court / Driver on ‘cusp’ of disqualification
A BOTCHED overtake manoeuvre on a blind uphill corner in Whiteness has landed a driver with nine penalty points and a fine of £600.
Aidan Redpath, of West Burrafirth, Bridge of Walls, admitted at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to driving without due care or attention on the A971 on 17 July.
The 21-year-old entered the opposing carriageway to attempt an overtake manoeuvre in the face of an oncoming car which was required to take evasive action to avoid a collision.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the incident caused “significant alarm” to the other motorists, who believed there was going to be a head-on collision.
Redpath managed to pull back into his lane, but the other vehicle swerved off the road, causing some damage to the car.
Redpath “instantly recognised how close he came to causing a catastrophic accident”, the fiscal said.
Defence agent Tommy Allan his client had sought out the complainers to apologise to them.
“I think he was as shocked as the people in the other car,” he said.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank warned Redpath that he had been “on the cusp of a disqualification”.
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