A coach driver taking families and a film crew to Lockerbie for a BBC TV programme almost caused a horrific crash after veering across the motorway at high speed.
Allan Oswald made a last-second decision to lurch across the road from the fast lane as he thought he was going to miss the turn-off for the Borders.
Oswald’s coach mounted the verge and steered into the path of a truck and soft-sided trailer, which he slashed with his wing mirror as he battled to keep control.
Solicitor Graeme Runcie, defending, said that Oswald, who worked for Rennie’s coaches, was heading south from Stonehaven.
“He doesn’t remember ever coming off at that slip road before. I think he thought there were two lanes on the slip road. He has made an error,” he said.
Mr Runcie added: “It could be said to be an isolated incident and an aberration on his part.”
Oswald, 58, Normand Road, Dysart, admitted driving his Volvo bus carelessly on the M90 Perth to Inverkeithing motorway at Craigend on April 3 last year.
Depute fiscal Stuart Richardson told Perth Sheriff Court the incident happened at about 6pm.
“There are signs as you come over the (Friarton) bridge that you need to take the slip road,” he said.
“Unfortunately, Mr Oswald was in the process of overtaking a slower-moving truck in the inside lane.
“Suddenly noticing the junction coming up, he found himself in the wrong lane to take the slip road. The truck was heading in the same direction as him.
“Instead of abandoning his intention to take the slip road, he continued. He ended up with some wheels on the grass verge. He finally managed to get himself on the slip road.”
Mr Runcie asked the court to give Oswald due credit for his previously good driving record.
Sheriff William Wood imposed nine penalty points and fined Oswald £750.
In August 2000, a Rennie’s coach crashed in France causing injuries to several passengers and killing a 15-year-old member of the Boys’ Brigade.