Our client was charged with dangerous driving in Stranraer. The basis of the allegation was excessive speed of 108mph in a 60mph limit and also subsequently contravening solid white lines (albeit not at 108mph). There were also further allegations of rather unimpressive driving allegedly observed by the police and denied by our client.
Cases of dangerous driving in Stranraer can be tricky. Both the police and the prosecution know their stuff. However we felt there was an issue with the speed detection used in this case. Further, the area where the highest speeds were alleged to have occurred was absent of other traffic, junctions, laybys or suchlike which could be construed as potential dangers. Finally, although it was not disputed that our client contravened a solid white line, it was in a three-lane “crawler” section of road and there was no oncoming traffic.
For all of these reasons, we felt that the test for dangerous driving was not met, albeit the circumstances were eloquent of careless driving.
Following representations made by us, the Crown agreed to accept a plea of Guilty to the lesser charge of careless driving at the reduced speed of 100mph. After a plea in mitigation, the sheriff agreed that the case did not merit disqualification and imposed 5 penalty points. From where we started out, this was an excellent outcome.
Our client left this review on Trustpilot.
Case defended by Steven Farmer at Stranraer Sheriff Court, 19 January 2022.