A careless driver who caused a serious three-vehicle crash claims he was dazzled by the sun.
Christopher Clark was on the wrong side of the A98 Banff-to-Portsoy road just as the sun was setting around 6pm when the accident happened.
He collided with a white Transit van heading in the opposite direction causing it to flip onto its side and skid 80 metres along the road before colliding with another car.
Clark, 37, was charged with dangerous driving but admitted a lesser charge of driving carelessly which was accepted by the Crown on the morning of his trial at Banff Sheriff Court.
Fiscal depute Ellen Barr said the accident happened on May 31 2021 near the A98’s junction with Banff Links.
The driver of the van saw Clark’s car coming straight at him on the “fully crossed over onto the other side of the carriageway”, she said.
Van sent skidding along road on side
“He could not take evasive action and he collided with the accused’s vehicle,” she continued.
“His van flipped onto its driver’s side before continuing along the road for around 80 metres.”
The Transit van then collided with a red Peugeot, causing damage to its bumper and windscreen.
Clark’s car came to rest opposite the junction and all three drivers were able to free themselves from their vehicles.
Utility broker Clark “immediately approached the other driver, apologising and taking full responsibility for the collision”, the court was told.
Defence agent Iain McGregor said: “He tells me the sun was beginning to go down at the time and his vision was obscured by that.
“As far as he could see the road was clear and he was safe to make the manoeuvre but clearly that was not the case.”
Clark, who has previous convictions for stalking and a recent drink-driving ban is disqualified until February 2025.
Sheriff Robert McDonald handed Clark, of Hayton Road, Aberdeen, six penalty points. and a £640 fine.
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