The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
‘Boy racer’, 93, agrees to quit driving after charge
Case dropped as ex-magistrate declared unfit to be behind the wheel
A 93-year-old “boy racer” charged with dangerously overtaking in a town centre has had the case against him dropped after agreeing to quit driving for good.
Colourful former town councillor Douglas Braidwood – who chauffeured people to the Queen’s garden parties – had been due to go on trial in connection with a dangerous driving charge.
The former Justice of the Peace had allegedly driven dangerously around Perth and Almondbank on March 21 by trying to overtake into the path of oncoming vehicles.
It was alleged he repeatedly swerved and overtook in a 20mph residential area and across a pelican crossing.
The case was dropped yesterday after Perth Sheriff Court was told Braidwood had been in hospital and was no longer fit to drive.
Six years ago, Braidwood was allowed to stay on the road after telling the court he escorted former servicemen to the Queen’s parties at Buckingham Palace.
In that case, Braidwood was clocked speeding at 85mph and waved to the officer who was trying to stop him.
Braidwood claimed his Suzuki Swift was getting faster of its own accord and wound down the window to bid good morning to the stunned motorbike officer. He was pulled over and claimed he had no idea he was driving any faster than the 60mph limit on the single carriageway A85 Crieff to Perth road.
Braidwood, of Maxtone Terrace, Gilmerton, admitted speeding.
He told the court at the time how he had been driving on the A85 to attend the 60th annual conference of the Royal British Legion Scotland at the Dewars Centre in Perth.
He said: “I became aware that a motorbike was running alongside, but did not overtake, so I opened my window and discovered it was a police officer on a motorbike and I said ‘good morning’.
“The police officer signed to pull over and I did and walked over to the constable and his assistant and said ‘Good morning gentlemen, what can I do for you?’
“They asked if I knew what speed I was doing and I said 60mph. They asked where I was going as they observed my war medals. I replied, ‘To my 60th RBLS annual conference’.
“I agreed to a breathalyser test which was negative. They then told me I was driving at 80mph and showed me the laser. I couldn’t believe it as I had not accelerated on my foot pedal from cruising at 50 to 60mph.
“I’ve always been a law-abiding citizen and I could not understand how I had attained that speed.
“We shook hands and they said to drive to my conference and I was in time for the opening ceremony.”
Braidwood also held a position on Crieff Town Council and was a returning officer during elections in the area.
He told the court he was the secretary of the local Earl Haig Fund committee and acted as an escort for groups of ex-service personnel during visits to Buckingham Palace.
Justice of the Peace Keith Parkes allowed Braidwood to avoid a ban by imposing five penalty points and fining him £400.
In 1998, Braidwood stunned guests at a party to mark the opening of Crieff’s new swimming pool by jumping in and declaring it was his right to be first in the water because of his part in the campaign to build it.