A Skye woman whose mother was killed in an accident on a Highland road broke down in court yesterday when she was given a driving ban.
Chartered accountant Flora Coogan, who now lives in Glasgow, pleaded guilty to driving into the path of another car on the A82 earlier this year.
Fort William Sheriff court heard yesterday that she was driving to the island to visit her elderly grandmother when the incident happened.
Martina Eastwood, depute procurator fiscal, said that, on April 12, the accused was travelling behind a HGV lorry on the A82 at Spean Bridge.
“When the lorry indicated left to pull into a layby, she decided to overtake across a solid white line. A car driven by a 60-year-old lady was coming in the opposite direction.
“She collided with the other vehicle and, as a result, both cars blocked the road.
“The lorry driver came over to help and paramedics were called, but there were no obvious injuries to either women.
“But later the 60-year-old found some superficial injuries on the right side of her torso.”
Coogan’s solicitor told the court that the 28-year-old was heading to her grandmother’s house on Skye and thought the lorry driver was indicating that it was safe to overtake.
“She didn’t see anything coming when she pulled out, then suddenly saw the oncoming car which hit the rear of her vehicle.
“She has not been in any trouble before and was very shocked by the incident. Her mother died in a car accident on a Highland road when she was quite young and her confidence has now been completely shaken.
“She is anxious to put this behind her and has applied to the Institute of Advanced Motorists to do a course.”
The solicitor added that Coogan uses the car to drive regularly to Skye and also needs it as her husband has recently been unwell.
Sheriff Eilidh MacDonald said: “I appreciate that you made a mistake, but it was a serious one.”
Coogan wept when the Sheriff disqualified her from driving for four months and fined her £600.