Drivers overtaking horses told to ‘take much more care’ after two court cases

DRIVERS in Shetland have been told to “take much more care” when overtaking horses after a second court case involving a rider being hurt in two months.

Alexander Keltie, from Peterborough, admitted overtaking two horses at excessive speed near the Sumburgh Airport runway on 17 May this year.

The 38 year old had slowed down to pass the animals, Lerwick Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday, but was still going at around 21mph when he did so.

Keltie was also driving a noisy curtain sided vehicle, which spooked one of the horses – who bolted and threw its rider to the ground.

The woman was signed off from work for two weeks as a result of her injuries, and had been left in “considerable pain”.

The court heard Keltie – who pleaded guilty by letter – had clearly seen the two riders, who were in high visibility gear.

He made the decision to overtake the riders despite a vehicle coming in the opposite direction.

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Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said CCTV footage showed Keltie had given the animals plenty of space, but had not slowed down enough.

The Highway Code said horses should not be passed at more than 10mph, he said, but Keltie had been going more than double that when he did so.

Keltie’s vehicle was also making “quite a lot of noise”, causing one of the horses to bolt. That spooked the other horse, who also bolted.

One of the riders was thrown from their horse as a result, and left in “considerable pain”.

Keltie stopped his vehicle to speak to the woman, and accepted he was “going slightly too fast” at the time.

Mackenzie criticised the speed with which some drivers overtake horses in the isles.

“This is yet another case which is indicative of the need for drivers on Shetland roads to take much more care when they overtake horses,” he said.

David Garrick, from Tingwall, was banned from the road in July 2026 after admitting a similar dangerous overtake – which also took place near to Sumburgh Airport.

The horse rider was also thrown to the ground in that incident, which took place on 14 October 2025.

Keltie was fined £500 and given three penalty points on his driving licence.

He was also ordered to pay his victim £100 in compensation.