Dozing driver(76) keepshis licence

A sleeping pensioner who smashed into a parked car and rammed it into a house a further 30 feet down the road after nodding off at the wheel has been allowed to keep driving.

Edgar Dunlop escaped a ban on Monday after a sheriff heard he fell asleep while he was driving because of medication for a thyroid problem.

Dunlop (76) had nine points imposed on his driving licence and was fined £1200 by SheriffWilliamWood.

Solicitor Pauline Cullerton, defending, said:“It was a thyroid difficulty he was suffering from at the time this incident took place.

“He is now on the correct medication and there have been no further incidents. He is still driving. Where he resides is fairly remote. He does rely on his car for getting out and about.”

Sheriff Wood said:“It seems you had some advance notice all was not well with your driving on this day and I have considered very carefully whether to disqualify you.

“You had some advance notice of your condition and you did not take steps to deal with it properly.”