Sleeping driver caused chaos

A motorist who brought city centre traffic to a standstill by falling asleep at traffic lights has been banned from driving for four years.

Scott Smith was heavily under the influence of drugs when he nodded off at the wheel and blocked a long line of motorists in Perth.

Several drivers sounded their horns but they were unable to rouse Smith who remained slumped over the steering wheel in a stupor.

Depute fiscal Robbie Brown told Perth Sheriff Court: “At 4pm witnesses saw a number of vehicles stopped at traffic lights. It was turned to green and they hadn’t moved off.

“A number of people were sounding their horns. The accused was in his vehicle at the front of the queue. One person approached the vehicle and found the accused asleep at the wheel.”

He added: “They opened the driver’s door and shook the accused and tried to rouse him. When he eventually roused he was disorientated and made mention of a change in his medication.”

Smith, 37, Pomarium Street, Perth, admitted driving under the influence of drink or drugs in the city’s Caledonian Road on March 2. Solicitor Paul Ralph, defending, said his client had previous convictions for driving under the influence and had been heavily medicated at the time of the incident.

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis banned Smith from driving for four years.