The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Officer ‘didn’t see’ lights before police car crash
PC Mark Chance admits careless driving charge
A police officer smashed his patrol car into traffic lights yards from Perth’s police station as he overtook a cycling colleague.
PC Mark Chance caused thousands of pounds of damage as he overtook a fellow officer who was cycling out of the force’s car park.
Perth and Kinross Council was left with a £3,000 repair bill and the 25-year-old officer with a careless driving charge.
He admitted the offence in Barrack Street on May 1.
Defending solicitor Gary McIlravey described the crash as “the Titantic sailing towards the iceberg” and said he did not see the lights because he was concentrating on the cyclist.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are aware of the outcome of the case and a report will be made to Deputy Chief Constable for People and Professionalism Fiona Taylor for consideration of misconduct proceedings.”
They declined to confirm the cost of damage to the police car.
Sheriff William Wood imposed six penalty points and a £600 fine.
A police officer caused thousands of pounds worth of damage by smashing his patrol car into a set of traffic lights in front of Perth’s police headquarters.
PC Mark Chance took out the set of lights while overtaking a cyclist, who happened to be one of his colleagues pulling out of the force car park.
The local authority was left with a £3,000 bill for the destroyed lights and a temporary set had to be erected because of the damage.
Chance, 25, also caused significant damage to the police Peugeot 308 in an incident captured by Police Scotland’s own CCTV system. He has admitted a careless driving charge.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are aware of the outcome of the case and a report will be made to Deputy Chief Constable for People and Professionalism Fiona Taylor for consideration of misconduct proceedings.”
They declined to confirm the cost of damage to the police car.
The CCTV footage of Chance driving straight into the traffic lights was shown at Perth Sheriff Court.
Chance, who was allowed to have the case heard without him appearing personally, admitted driving carelessly in Perth’s Barrack Street on May 1.
He admitted driving into the middle of the road to overtake fellow officer Greig Farmer, who was cycling home from work. Chance admitted failing to take the pedestrian crossing and road markings into account before colliding with the lights.
Solicitor Gary McIlravey, defending, said: “He is a serving police officer with three years service. Up to now he has had a spotless record, a clean licence and no previous convictions.
“He spotted the cyclist and the intention was to overtake and give plenty of room. His focus was on the primary hazard – the cyclist – and for some reason he did not see the oncoming hazard.
“Even police officers can make mistakes. He has undertaken a driving refresher course and been given certain re-training by the police.
“Mr Chance is understandably rather embarrassed by this and wants to deal with it as quickly as possible. He is aware points on his licence are inevitable.”
Sheriff William Wood told Chance: “It is arguably at the higher end of the range of careless driving, with it being a lit traffic light.
“I take into account the accused’s employment in the public service, his previous good character and clean driving licence, and will deal with it without disqualifying him.”
He imposed six penalty points and gave Chance 12 months to pay off a £600 fine.