A young Fraserburgh motorist has been banned from the road after falling asleep at the wheel and injuring another driver.
Jack Duncan was spotted drifting between lanes as he travelled along the port’s Boothby Road in his white Ford Fiesta.
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One motorist had to serve out of the way to avoid colliding with the 22-year-old as he drove through the town on May 28 last year.
A short time later, Duncan was involved in a head-on collision with another car, leaving both “extensively damaged”.
The other driver, David Gault, was left with an undisclosed but fortunately not permanent injury.
During an appearance at Peterhead Sheriff Court yesterday, Duncan pled guilty to driving dangerously by failing to maintain proper control of the vehicle, falling asleep at the wheel, and causing the car to swerve into the onto the opposing carriageway.
He admitted causing another vehicle to take evasive action, colliding with the car and causing damage to it and injury to David Gault.
Depute Fiscal Gavin Thomson told the court the marine engineer had been spotted driving erratically by other motorists at around 1pm.
He said the collision was witnesses by a driver who was fortunately able to swerve out of Duncan’s way – though Mr Gault was not so fortunate.
Mr Thomson said: “The witness looked into their rear view mirror and saw the accused crash head-on with another vehicle.
“The witness believed the driver had fallen asleep. Both vehicle airbags were deployed and the fronts of the cars were extensively damaged.
“The accused could not remember what had happened because he fell asleep at the wheel.
“Police at the scene were concerned about the accused because he appeared to be confused.”
Defence agent Sam Milligan said there was no doubt that Duncan should have never gotten into his car that day.
Mr Milligan said: “He should not have been driving and this incident has led to his family to question his lifestyle.
“He has pulled his socks up and produced a testimonial from from what were, until very recently, his employers.”
Mr Milligan added that Duncan was due to begin a new job with a marine engineering company this week for which a car was not necessary.
Sheriff Christine McCrossan banned Duncan, of Gamrie, from driving for 18 months and fined him £600.
