A driver who crashed after reversing along a dual carriageway was carrying out “one of the most dangerous things ever seen”, according to a horrified witness.
Steven Bruce was given an interim driving ban after he admitted coming to a halt on the A9 trunk road before heading backwards into traffic.
The 42-year-old smashed into an unsuspecting motorist who was turning on to the dual carriageway and unaware of him heading in the wrong direction during rush hour.
Bruce, of Tweed Crescent, Dundee, admitted driving dangerously by reversing along the A9 dual carriageway in the direction of oncoming traffic, and hitting another vehicle and damaging both.
Perth Sheriff Court was told that Bruce smashed so hard into the other motorist’s car that the female driver’s door was caved in and she could only escape out of the passenger’s side.
The incident happened at 8.30am on March 15 last year, as the accused approached and passed the Forteviot junction before realising he had missed his turning. He braked hard before coming to a stop on the inside lane.
Depute fiscal Matthew Kerr told the court: “One of the witnesses had seen a suitable gap in the southbound traffic and began to turn right, crossing on to the southbound carriageway.
“As the first witness crossed the southbound lane, she suddenly became aware of the accused reversing the wrong way on the dual carriageway.
“He collided with the offside of her car. This was seen by the witness who was in the central reservation.
“The other driver in the central reservation stopped to assist. He remarked to the accused that it was one of the most dangerous things he had ever seen.”
Bruce told the woman with whom he had collided: “I was reversing, as I had missed the junction and you ended up in my way.”
Sheriff Keith O’Mahoney deferred sentence so the Crown could find out information from the investigating officer.
Bruce was banned on an interim basis and will return to court next month once social work and restriction of liberty order reports have been completed.
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