Ex-policeman spared road ban after A9 crash

Paul Dale’s car drifted across centre line after lapse in concentration

A former senior policeman caused a crash on one of Scotland’s most deadly roads.

Paul Dale, who worked his way from a constable to a position in the National Criminal Intelligence Service, escaped a driving ban despite admitting driving carelessly on the A9, near Faskally.

Perth Sheriff Court heard the 65year-old’s “momentary lapse in concentration” caused his Hyundai i40 to drift across the centre line and crash into an oncoming car driven by Victoria Price.

Dale was airlifted to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee where he was found to have broken his leg in two places, as well as suffering breaks to his ribs, sternum and thumb.

While Ms Price walked away with a sprained ankle, Dale’s wife suffered a broken arm and a teenager suffered a neck injury.

Depute fiscal Lisa Marshall told the court witnesses said Dale did not appear to be speeding but “drifted” from one lane to the other.

Solicitor Stephen Dryden, defending, said his client had an unblemished career in the police service and has since moved on to work as a planning officer.

Dale, of Kingston, Moray, pled guilty to driving carelessly on the A9, near Faskally, on October 9 by veering across the central line and colliding with another car, causing injury to the driver, and himself, and others. Sheriff Lindsay Foulis endorsed Dale’s licence with eight penalty points and fined him £800.