Police carried out a different kind of smash and grab after catching a driver on a 93 mile journey with a windscreen so shattered it was virtually impossible to see through.
The van was travelling between Brora in Sutherland and Elgin in Moray when it was stopped on the A9 at Tomich near Invergordon.
Police said the driver of the vehicle “gave no thought to the dangers his vehicle posed to other road users – but our road policing officers did”.
A police spokesman said: “The vehicle is clearly in a dangerous condition due to the driver’s vision being seriously impaired by the badly damaged windscreen.
“The driver told officers that the windscreen was smashed by an object hitting it near Dornoch.
“He had initially stopped and attempted to arrange a windscreen replacement company to attend.
“After he was told this would be several days and would require the vehicle to be recovered the driver decided to continue his journey to Elgin.”
The driver was dealt with by means of a conditional offer of Fixed Penalty for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.
His licence was endorsed with three penalty points and he was given a £100 fine.
The vehicle could have also been issued with a road worthiness prohibition known as a PG9.
Police stressed that all vehicles were designed to give the driver a full view of the road as well as traffic ahead of the vehicle.
And motorists are legally obliged to make sure the glass was maintained so that views were not obstructed.
Police said the driver initially reacted responsibly by attempting to obtain a replacement windscreen but due to the time he was going to have to wait for the vehicle to be recovered, decided to drive on with seriously reduced vision.
A road policing spokesman added: “He showed no regard to the safety of other road users. Had the driver failed to observe a pedestrian, cyclist or other road users he would undoubtedly have caused a collision, resulting in injury and/or damage to property or vehicles.
“If you find yourself in similar circumstances with a seriously damaged windscreen and cannot get or wait for a roadside replacement, for the safety of yourself and others, organise a recovery agent to uplift the vehicle and have it taken to a place where it can be repaired.
“If you cannot wait for recovery park the vehicle up and arrange for someone to collect you.”
