Idiotic driver swerves into path of oncoming car

Derek Brown (45) flashed full beam at the oncoming car, a Mercedes C63 Auto, as it came towards him on the A872, which runs parallel to the Glasgow-bound M80, west of Stirling.

When that did not work, he pulled into the opposing carriageway into the path of the approaching Mercedes, before returning to his own side of the road.

Appearing at Stirling Sheriff Court today, Brown pled guilty to the careless driving offence he committed on January 15.

Prosecutor Sarah Lumsden said the driver and front seat passenger of the Mercedes were “understandably alarmed” by the incident, which happened about 8.30pm. The driver gave a description of Brown’s red Kalos hatchback to police.

Brown, an odd job man who lives in a van in Denny, was traced and charged.

He had originally been accused of dangerous driving, but defence solicitor Andy Bryson offered a plea on his behalf to the lesser offence of carelessness on the basis the cars had been 150 to 200 metres apart at their closest.

Mr Bryson said: “He flashed his lights and then moved to the wrong side of the road. It was a bizarre thing to do. He thought perhaps it would get the other driver to dip his lights.

“He appreciates now he should have closed his eyes a bit and squinted.”

Mr Bryson said Brown now accepted the Mercedes had not been on full beam at all, it was simply a modern car with very bright lights.

Sheriff David Griffiths fined Brown £220 and ordered four points to be placed on his licence.

He said: “What you did was pretty stupid. Fortunately it didn’t have serious consequences.”