Ban and fine for careless driver (80)
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An elderly driver who caused a road smash on the A9 near Tain in which a scooter rider was seriously injured, has been fined and banned from the road.
The incident at Lower Tulloch on August 26 last year spoiled a 60-year accident free driving record for George Innes of Highland Park, Barbaraville.
The 80-year-old was travelling north when he turned right across the opposite carriageway of the trunk road and into the path of the oncoming bike.
A court heard that he had moved into a filter lane but had failed to wait for the bikes to pass.
When he got out of the car following the incident Innes said: “I did not see him”.
Biker Neil Bostwick was on holiday and following tourism trail North Coast 500 (NC500) with a companion at the time. Both were riding Vespas.
Mr Bostwick was flung into the air, hit the windscreen of another car and landed face down on the road.
He was taken to hospital where he had to have emergency surgery after breaking his wrist and suffering leg injuries and internal bleeding. Metal rods were placed in his wrist.
Mr Bostwick is expected to regain 80 per cent of movement but has been told he is likely to develop arthritis in his wrist and legs.
Innes appeared for sentencing at Tain Sheriff Court on Monday having previously pled guilty by letter to careless driving. At the time the sheriff said he was facing a ban.
In mitigation defence solicitor Natalie Pearson said Innes was in good health but his wife was not and his driving licence was “important to him”.
The lawyer added: “His wife will find public transport difficult”.
Sheriff Chris Dickson said the offence was at the higher end of the careless driving scale. He disqualified Innes from driving for three months and fined him £265.
