Driver banned for second time after dangerous overtaking

Michael Deas, of Broom Crescent, Leven, had only had his licence back for a day and a half when he overtook a car in the face of an oncoming vehicle, Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court heard.

His Honda Civic collided with the other car, injuring himself, the other driver and the passengers in both vehicles.

Sheriff Andrew McCulloch expressed ‘astonishment’ at his actions and told him he’d only avoided a jail sentence because he had a good work record.

He banned him from the road for 40 months and ordered him to re-sit his test as well as carry out 240 hours of unpaid work and attend a road traffic offenders’ groupwork programme.

However he warned Deas that if he didn’t complete the order he would be given a custodial sentence.

Deas had admitted driving dangerously on the A911 Leven to Glenrothes road, near to the junction with Milton of Balgonie, on May 2 last year.

He admitted attempting to overtake another car travelling in the same direction; entering the opposite carriageway into the path of an oncoming car, causing the driver to take evasive action, and colliding with the front nearside of the car, damaging both vehicles and injuring himself and the other driver, Kirsty Burns, and the remaining occupants of both vehicles.

The court heard that the incident happened at 11.50pm and that the accused was making a relatively short journey to McDonald’s.

He was travelling behind a bus and it was when the bus decelerated to turn off that he pulled out.

Sheriff McCulloch told him: “It is rare to come across someone with two convictions for dangerous driving, particularly aged 22.

“I can only guess at what was going on in your mind in your haste to get to McDonald’s with your two pals in the car. I don’t know if you were showing off or what.

“I find it astonishing that you didn’t see the car coming or its lights.”

The court was told that Deas suffered injuries to his chest while the others, including Miss Burns, sustained bruising.