Campbeltown Sheriff Court was told that the driver of a car seen repeatedly drifting onto the wrong side of the road was, in fact, trying to avoid potholes.
Roger Rowland, aged 84, of Cnoc Araich, Southend, admitted driving without due care and attention and reasonable consideration for road users by driving on the opposing side of the carriageway round a sharp bend, and, once on the opposing side, causing an oncoming driver to take evasive action to avoid a collision; then repeatedly drifted onto the opposing carriageway.
The incident happened on June 2 this year, on the stretch of road between Heath Cottage and Pennygowan Farm on the B842.
Procurator fiscal depute Ewan Nicholson told the November court sitting that the incident began when an on-coming motorist was faced with Rowland’s car coming round a sharp bend onto their side of the road: “So much so that they did an emergency stop so there was not a head-on collision; they managed to steer onto the side of the road and a collision was avoided.”
The fiscal added: “The accused never stopped, but continued on their way.”
The other driver, who had his partner and child in the car with him, was shaken from the incident but followed Rowland’s car and saw it travelling from its side of the road into the opposing carriageway repeatedly. They reported the incident to the police.
When questioned, Rowland told officers: “I don’t remember the incident.”
Stephen MacSporran, defence agent, said Rowland had been driving since he was 16, and his career had been in the motor trade; he had been trying to avoid potholes on the road.
“He has never been in a court room in his life before,” Mr MacSporran said, adding that Rowland cared for his daughter and the loss of his driving licence would effectively leave her housebound.
Sheriff Euan Cameron imposed nine penalty points on Rowland’s licence, explaining that if there was another offence within the next three years, the result would mean the licence would be lost under the 12-points totting up procedure.
He also fined Rowland £650, saying: “This was a very poor piece of careless driving which could have had catastrophic consequences not only for yourself, but for others – a young man, his partner and young child.”