Court / Man banned after driving dangerously

A BOTCHED overtaking manoeuvre which was “beyond a minor error of judgement” has resulted in a man being disqualified from driving for a year.

Brandon Lowe, of Hillswick, appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday to admit driving dangerously at excessive speeds on the A970 south of Voe on 8 April.

The charge stated that he caused oncoming traffic to take evasive and preventative action to avoid colliding with his car after executing an overtake manoeuvre when it was unsafe to do so.

The 19-year-old was also fined £520 by Sheriff Ian Cruickshank.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said Lowe approached the vehicle in front at speed, which “alarmed” the driver, before trying to overtake in the face of oncoming traffic.

The driver in front put the brakes on to allow Lowe back in as he was unable to overtake more traffic ahead.

“He’s abdicating the responsibility for the safety of himself and others onto other motorists,” Mackenzie told the court.

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Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client accepted that his driving was below the standards required and suggested it may have been down to inexperience, having passed his test in 2020.

He said Lowe’s job with a small fishing boat would be under threat if he lost his licence – with shifts often starting at 4am or 5am, when public transport is not available.

“This has been a very hard lesson for him,” Allan said.