Teenager wrote off his mum’s car on way to shops

Mar 10 2010 by Gavin McInally, Paisley Daily Express

A BOY racer wrecked his mum’s Ford Fiesta in a mad dash to the shops as he went an errand.

David Chambers, 19, drove at excessive speed and overtook another vehicle, crossing to the wrong side of the road, as he approached a roundabout.

And Paisley Sheriff Court heard how he should have been taking particular care as the setting sun was dazzling and bright, and meant he did not have a proper view of oncoming traffic.

In court, Chambers, of Churchill Avenue, Spateston, Johnstone, admitted driving dangerously and at excessive speed on Bridge of Weir Road, Linwood, on May 12 last year, failing to give way at a roundabout and colliding with another vehicle, damaging both and causing injury.

The court heard that he was seen to be overtaking a slower-moving vehicle when it was just 200 metres from the Barbush roundabout near St Benedict’s High School just as traffic was emerging following a parents’ night.

Chambers pulled back in again but failed to give way at the roundabout and ploughed into another vehicle, causing extensive damage and a neck strain injury to one of those inside, who was taken to Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital for treatment.

Police were summoned and breath-tested the accused at the scene, with negative results.

He was later cautioned and charged with dangerous driving after statements had been taken from witnesses.

Depute fiscal Margaret McCallum said that it was accepted that visibility could have been adversely affected by the dazzling sun which was setting around 7.45pm when the collision happened.

Defence agent John Gardner said his client had taken his mother’s car from Bridge of Weir Road in Linwood to go to the Morrison’s store at Johnstone for provisions and accepted that he was travelling too fast in the circumstances, with the sun in his eyes.

He was racing to go an errand for his mother and her car had been written off.

Chambers had been a trainee motor mechanic at the time but had now lost his job.

Sheriff David Pender said he would have imposed a £300 fine but due to the accused’s inability to pay, he would instead put a Supervised Attendance Order in place requiring Chambers to give up 50 hours of his time when required to do so.

Chambers, was also banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to re-sit and pass the extended test of proficiency before he would be allowed to get back behind the wheel.