Two boy racers have been disqualified after a risky run along icy country roads in Fife.
Kieran Aitchison, 21, and Aaron Clunie, 19, both admitted reduced charges of driving carelessly on February 12 last year on the A917 between St Monans and Leven and other rural roads.
Both men admitted driving in inclement, icy conditions at excessive speeds, swerving between lanes and driving in close proximity of each other.
Pipe fitter Aitchison, of Burleigh Court in Glenrothes, also admitted failing to stop at temporary traffic lights.
Tyre fitter Clunie, of Gourlay Crescent in St Monans, admitted to driving at speed while fitted with a temporary, space-saving tyre that should not be used at speeds over 50mph.
At Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, Fiscal Depute Freya Anderson-Ward said the men were driving shortly after 8pm when the temperature was at minus six degrees and there was heavy snow on the verges.
Police in an unmarked car were behind the two men and suspected they were racing.
‘Daft laddies in cars kill people’
Ms Anderson-Ward said: “Both vehicles moved off at speed and were seen straddling two lanes in order to take corners faster.
“It appeared to officers the accused were taking advantage of empty roads and having a competition of speed.”
Aitchison’s solicitor explained the father-of-one is an apprentice pipe fitter at Babcock and was a “daft laddie”.
Sheriff Alastair Brown responded: “Daft laddies in cars kill people.”
Martin McGuire, defending Clunie, said his client “ironically, had started working as a tyre fitter at Kwik Fit in St Andrews.”
Both solicitors explained the men would probably require their driving licences for their jobs.
Bans and fines
Sheriff Brown said: “The procurator fiscal said explicitly that it appeared to police that you were racing.
“Neither of your solicitors has challenged that statement.
“The Crown has, for reasons known to itself, accepted pleas of careless driving and I’m constrained by that.
“It appears so very careless, you should be disqualified.
“This was not a daft laddie moment.
“This was a course of very bad driving.”
Aitchison was banned for nine months and fined £380.
Clunie was banned for seven months and fined £320.
