Court hears pensioner sold car and quit driving after near-miss with police
A pensioner has vowed to give up his licence after a near-miss with a police car led to a dangerous driving conviction.
- Published in the Courier : 08.02.12
- Published online : 08.02.12 @ 08.54am
James Dunbar (75,) of Glenshee Drive, Blairgowrie, narrowly avoided crashing head-on into the police vehicle while overtaking a lorry on a blind bend, Perth Sheriff Court heard on Tuesday.
He was formally disqualified from driving for 21 months but said he had already got rid of his car.
Depute fiscal Robbie Brown outlined the incident, which happened on the Coupar Angus to Perth A94 near Mains of Kethick on November 15.
He said: ''At 3.30pm officers on patrol were heading north-east and negotiated a left-hand bend and observed a convoy of vehicles coming in the opposite direction.
''At the front of this was an HGV which the accused's vehicle was in the process of overtaking and it was over the central marking lines.
''A head-on collision was only avoided by the police vehicle swerving to the verge. The officers activated the lights and stopped the accused.''
Solicitor John McLaughlin, for Dunbar, said: ''As a result of this incident he hasn't driven since and has no intention of driving again. His car has been sold.''
Dunbar, who was convicted of careless driving and speeding in 2004, was also fined £500.
