Woman banned after attempting U-turn on A9

Driver’s dangerous manoeuvre caused a pile-up on the dual carriageway

A mother of four who caused a three-car pile-up when she tried to carry out a U-turn on a dual carriageway has been told it was a “miracle” that no one had been seriously hurt or killed.

Donna Willans, 37, wept in the dock yesterday as a sheriff told her the manoeuvre could have had “catastrophic” consequences for several motorists.

Sheriff James Macdonald banned Willans for 30 months for driving dangerously and fined her £600 after finding her guilty at Perth Sheriff Court.

Willans, of Cornhill Road, Perth, was found guilty of trying to carry out a U-turn and colliding with another car.

It rolled over and smashed into a third vehicle, damaging them all and leaving Willans and Lesley Arthur injured.

This happened on the A9 near Broxden roundabout, on the outskirts of Perth, on September 2 last year.

Sheriff Macdonald said: “It was dangerous because it fell far below the standard of a competent driver.

“The decision you took was momentary but because of the speed people can legitimately travel on the A9, the consequences of an error of judgment can become more severe and that’s what happened here.

“You were distracted at the time. The video evidence showed a rather severe collision. The vehicle in the outside lane was travelling at 70 miles per hour.

“The consequences to the vehicle appeared almost catastrophic, although somewhat miraculously the driver managed to walk away with minor injuries.

“You are a first offender of good character and I have no doubt you have suffered greatly as a result of being involved in this.”

Solicitor David Holmes, defending, told Perth Sheriff Court his client had been driving without incident for 20 years and would find it difficult to transport her children around after being banned.

He said she had been distressed by the outcome of her driving and had written to the injured driver to express concern for her wellbeing in the wake of the crash.

Perth mum Donna Willans, 37, wept in the dock yesterday.