A mum and daughter had a lucky escape after a driver who was struggling with cruise control caused their car to flip into the central reservation of the A90.
Fraser Wilson, 39, ploughed into the rear of the vehicle as it slowed down to turn into a slip road at Lumgair, Stonehaven.
The collision sent the car tumbling into the central reservation.
Fiscal depute Lewis Devoy told Aberdeen Sheriff Court the incident happened during the evening of February 4 2020, while it was dark and dry with moderate traffic flow.
He said: “The complainer was travelling in her car along with her daughter who was the front seat passenger. She was travelling in lane two.
“She has indicated to the right and intended to take the slip road off.
“At this time, a witness further behind the complainer has observed the accused emerging from his blind spot and passing him to come up behind the complainer’s vehicle.”
‘This could have been a lot worse’
Mr Devoy said Wilson’s vehicle was described as “travelling at some speed”.
He added: “At this time, the accused’s vehicle has immediately come to the rear of the complainer’s vehicle such that there was a brief collision and the complainer’s vehicle has been shunted forward.
“The complainer has, at this time, realised she has lost control of her vehicle due to the pressure exerted on her vehicle by the accused’s vehicle.
“The complainer’s vehicle has rolled into the central reservation.”
Both females were able to get out of the car themselves and fortunately were not injured.
Wilson’s car came to an “abrupt stop” within the carriageway.
Police and ambulance crews attended and Wilson told officers he was “struggling with his cruise control”.
‘He’s essentially gone right into the back of her’
After being cautioned and charged, he replied: “I don’t know where it came from.”
Wilson, of Brechin Road, Montrose, pled guilty to careless driving.
Defence agent Brian Bell said: “It’s not lost on the accused that the consequences of this incident could have been far worse and he recognises that.”
Mr Bell said the area where the crash happened was “quite a small slip road” and required drivers to slow their speed on approach.
He said: “He failed to keep a proper lookout and the lady in lane two has slowed down to take the slip road and he’s essentially gone right into the back of her.
“It’s a momentary lapse of attention.”
Sheriff Nigel Cooke warned Wilson: “This could have been a lot worse, but I accept the description of the incident as put forward by your solicitor.”
He fined him £470 and handed him seven penalty points.
For all the latest court cases in Aberdeen as well as crime and breaking incidents, join our Facebook group.
