Court / ‘Young man in a hurry’ fined and given penalty points

A “YOUNG man in a hurry” who “misjudged” two overtaking manoeuvres has been given a £1,000 fine and seven penalty points.

Michael Miller, of North Roe, appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to admit driving carelessly on 3 May.

The incident happened at around 8.50am on 3 May last year on the A970 between the public toilets at Voe and the junction to the B9071.

The 21-year-old pleaded guilty to attempting to overtake a number of preceding vehicles on a corner and in the face of an oncoming lorry.

The charge stated that a vehicle being overtaken had to brake harshly to allow the driver to the return to the correct carriageway to avoid collision with the lorry.

Miller admitted thereafter overtaking on a corner whereby he was not afforded an unobstructed view of any oncoming traffic.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie described Miller as a “young man in a hurry”.

Regarding the incident with the oncoming lorry, he said: “I think a head on collision would have been unavoidable.”

The court heard that one of the drivers being overtaken later took to social media to try to identify the driver – which led to Miller speaking to police.

Defence agent Ms Findlay said her client “simply misjudged the distances involved”.

She said Miller only intended to overtake one vehicle before returning to the left side of the road, but the gap between cars had reduced, meaning he had to carry on.

The solicitor explained that Miller was originally from the Scottish mainland but was doing shift work on council ferries in Shetland – and that his licence was important for the job.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said: “It is a bad example of careless driving, given the stretch of road in question.”

In addition to the £1,000 fine and seven penalty points, Miller was ordered to pay £40 as a victim surcharge fee.