A care worker has been allowed to keep her licence after she admitted tearing through roadworks on the A9 at nearly twice the speed limit.
Eilidh Wild motored through a temporary 50mph section of the dual carriageway near Luncarty at 95mph.
The 23-year-old had been racing to reach a friend in distress, Perth Sheriff Court heard.
Originally charged with dangerous driving, mental health care assistant Wild pled guilty to an alternative charge of speeding in her personalised black BMW on July 22 last year.
Sheriff David Hall allowed her to stay on the road after hearing she could lose her employment if she was unable to drive to meet patients.
Road upgrade
Work began last year to connect the A9 to the under-construction Cross Tay Link Road.
Fiscal depute Dev Kapadia told the court: “This particular stretch of the A9 was being governed by a 50mph limit to allow for roadworkers constructing the new road.
“At around 9.50pm, the accused was recorded driving a BMW at 95mph.”
He said: “At this time, the traffic was light and there were no pedestrians.
“Roadworkers were present however but not in the direct vicinity of the locus itself.”
Solicitor Paul Ralph, defending, said: “The roadworks on this part of the road change all the time.
“I understand the dual carriageway was still in use at this time but there were restricted lane sizes.”
Distress call
Mr Ralph said his client, of Nicoll Drive, Bankfoot, provides mental health care packages to people in their homes.
“On this night, a friend phoned. This was someone who is known to have been in a depressed state of mind and was thinking about doing themselves some mischief.
“When she travelled up the A9, Ms Wild was perhaps distracted by this and did not notice the restrictions that were in place and now she finds herself in this precarious position.”
Mr Ralph presented a letter to the court from Wild’s bosses.
“Effectively, if she loses her licence they may not be able to continue employing her,” said Mr Ralph.
Sheriff David Hall told Wild: “No doubt you are aware that this is a very high speed. It is a serious matter.
“But I take into account your age, and lack of any previous convictions and the reference from your employers who speak highly of you.”
He added: “You do a difficult job and your licence is a prerequisite for doing your job.”
The sheriff fined Wild £600 and imposed six penalty points.
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