News / ‘Very significant error of judgment’ caused accident
A WOMAN whose car overturned into a ditch after she misjudged an overtaking manoeuvre in the north mainland of Shetland has been disqualified from driving for one year.
Lauren Kelsey, of Leaside, Mossbank, was also fined £500 after she admitted the dangerous driving charge at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Tuesday.
The 24 year old pled guilty to executing an overtaking manoeuvre on the B9076 near to the Scatsta junction on 17 January in the face of oncoming traffic and on a blind summit, whereby she had to take evasive action to avoid a collision.
She failed to maintain control of her car, which left the carriageway and overturned into a roadside ditch.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the incident happened at around 5.30pm when it would have been dark.
After a queue of vehicles moved off from traffic lights, the motorist in front of Kelsey performed an overtaking manoeuvre – and she followed without properly taking into account the blind summit ahead.
As she overtook, she then saw vehicles “bearing down on her” and “sharply” turned back into her lane.
However, the speed of her movements caused her to lose control of her vehicle.
Mackenzie said it was a “matter of some concern that she simply failed to understand how bad a piece of driving this was”.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said that – like a football incident at the weekend which reached the back pages –regardless of whether there was any intent, it was still dangerous.
He said his client regarded herself as a safe driver and added that the incident had a “severe impact on her”.
The solicitor said that, while Kelsey was taken to hospital overnight, it was lucky there were no other injuries.
“Clearly this was a very significant error of judgment,” Sheriff Philip Mann said. “But there is no suggestion you had been driving dangerously for any period of time before this happened.”
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