Court / Fine and points for careless driving

A MAN whose careless driving saw him veer off the road into a ditch – causing his vehicle to be written off – has avoided losing his licence.

Michael Black, of Grutness, was instead fined £400 and given four penalty points.

He admitted at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday to losing control of his vehicle on the A970 between Hoswick and Channerwick on 12 November 2019.

The court heard that the 62-year-old suffered a broken vertebrae in the incident and was put in a brace for two months.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client could not provide a reason for the momentary lapse, but the solicitor suggested low sun could have been an issue.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the incident happened at around 2.30pm, with the weather and road conditions fine.

“He simply failed to maintain the requisite level of attention,” he said.

The fiscal said there were no defects which would have caused the vehicle to go off the road.

Allan said the vehicle hit concrete blocks at the side of the road, writing it off. No one else was involved in the incident.

He told Sheriff Ian Cruickshank that a driving licence was vital for Black’s work, which is window cleaning, and for helping his mother and grass cutting jobs he does for pensioners in the community.