A motorist has been called “suicidal” and “selfish” by a road safety expert for driving at 140mph on the A9.
Robert Compton claimed he was calibrating his newly installed LPG (liquid gas petroleum) fuel system when he was clocked at twice the legal limit between Aberuthven and Auchterarder in June last year.
He pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving, but during a trial at Perth Sheriff Court did not deny driving at twice the speed limit.
Compton said he was in full control of his Vauxhall Vectra and that there were no other vehicles on the road but conceded that he should have booked a race track to carry out the test.
His stance was rubbished by Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the Institute of Advanced Motorists.
Mr Greig, who is also a member of the A9 Safety Group, said: “As an excuse it’s laughable. No vehicle needs to have its LPG calibrated at 140mph that’s just ridiculous.
“It’s an excuse that he’s got into his mind to justify his suicidal behaviour. It’s completely selfish behaviour on his part.
“He’s tried to justify it by some spurious scientific explanation but no one can safely control and stop a vehicle on a public road at 140mph.
“He may think he’s in full control of his vehicle but he’s not in full control of the road potholes, debris and other vehicles, he’s not in control of that. At that speed you are covering the ground so fast that anything could happen.”
Gary Rae, of road safety charity Brake, added that Compton’s actions could have had tragic consequences.
“This is an astonishing explanation from the driver,” he said.
“Roads are not racetracks treating them as such puts lives at risk and shows an utter disregard for the safety of others.”
A police officer described hearing a noise “like a jet” as Compton approached the point where he and a colleague were carrying out speed checks.
Compton, of Sydney Crescent, Auchterarder, had denied driving dangerously on the Perth to Stirling stretch of the A9, near the access road to East Mill farm, by reaching speeds of up to 140mph.
Sheriff Christopher Shead banned Compton from the roads for a year and ordered him to resit the extended driving test. He also fined him £500.