Court /

Ban and fine for driver who veered across road in dense fog

21 October 2026 12:23

A WOMAN from Sandwick who admitting driving dangerously to Lerwick in dense fog by repeatedly veering across the centre line has been disqualified and fined.

Lerwick Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday that Jennifer Welsh’s driving caused another person to take evasive action and swerve off the road to avoid collision.

Welsh, of Cumliewick, was said to be “exhausted” when she took to the wheel on 3 June.

The court heard how another driver, who was behind Welsh’s vehicle, recorded footage on a dashcam and followed her to Lerwick, stopping to speak to her at the Tesco car park.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the incident happened at around 7.30pm on the A970 between Cunningsburgh and Lerwick, with restricted visibility due to fog.

He said the 37-year-old was seen “weaving across the road, back and forth across the centre line marking”.

Dashcam footage captured Welsh also driving onto the opposing carriageway, with a vehicle coming the other direction having to brake sharply and swerve off the road.

This left the other driver shaken and needing to stop in a lay-by to compose himself, Mackenzie said.

The driver who had the dashcam footage realised that he knew the person who swerved off the road, and the recording was passed onto him – and this then led to the police getting involved.

Mackenzie said Welsh cooperated fully with police throughout.

Defence agent George Mathers said Welsh had been going through an “exceptionally difficult” period in her life.

He told the court that his client was struggling to sleep at the time and was “simply exhausted” when she drove to Lerwick.

Mathers said Welsh, who works as a nurse, has been “exemplary” in her conduct in life and said that the driving incident was a “catastrophic lapse of judgement”.

He said there was no involvement of alcohol in the incident.

Help keep Shetland’s news open to everyone

Good local journalism takes time, care and people on the ground. Membership helps us keep reporting the stories that matter to Shetland — and keep them free for everyone to read. Members get a weekly newsletter created especially for them, local ads only, and can bookmark stories and join the conversation in the comments.

“I will ask the court to be as sympathetic as can be,” Mathers added.

Sheriff Jennifer Gear said the charge was a “very serious” driving offence, amplified by the fact that she repeatedly veered across the road.

While acknowledging her circumstances were difficult, Sheriff Gear disqualified Welsh from driving for 16 months and fined her £1,000.

If you have been affected by crime, help is available. Whether you are victim, a witness, or the accused, you can find independent, impartial, and confidential support in Shetland.