Bus driver who drove car at 101 mph on A9 near Thurso allowed to keep licence
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A sheriff has given a part-time bus driver clocked at 101 mph in his car a chance to enable him to keep his job.
Sheriff David Hall stopped short of imposing the number of points that would have triggered an automatic ban.
Kevin Macdonald was fined £600 and incurred five penalty points. The 28-year-old admitted a charge of speeding when he appeared at Wick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.
He was caught in a police speed check on the Stainland approach to Thurso, on the A9, on October 30, 2021.
Fiscal David Barclay said that it was clear to the police officers that Macdonald was travelling in excess of the 60 mph in force in the long straight approach to the town. There was nothing untoward regarding weather conditions at the time and the accused was the only vehicle on the road.
Marc Dickson, for Macdonald, said that the accused had previously worked for bus company Stagecoach but had switched to rival, local firm Aaron's of Wick and was fortunate to have found alternative employment with them.
The solicitor said he could offer "no real explanation" for the offence other than Macdonald, who was on his way home, had "allowed his speed to rise".
Fiscal Barclay accepted Macdonald's plea of not guilty to a second charge of dangerous driving with a speed of 116 mph.
Mr Dickson said that the accused accepted that his speed was "inappropriate and unnecessary" and "bitterly regrets his actions".
Apart from the charge, Macdonald, of Mayfield Road, Thurso, was a responsible person who was well thought of by his present employers.
Mr Dickson said that loss of his licence would cost him his part-time employment and appealed to Sheriff Hall to step back from disqualification.
The accused already has six points on his licence and a further six would mean that he would reach the maximum 12 points which would trigger an automatic six-month ban.
Mr Dickson added: "If you impose five penalty points Macdonald will be 'absolutely' on the edge of disqualification and will require to be incredibly careful regarding road traffic matters."
Imposing the five points, and the fine of £600, Sheriff Hall said he took Macdonald's previous record of offending into account and the importance of his licence for his work.
The sheriff also noted that the accused had recently separated from his partner but was supporting her financially.
