Driver fined after quiet car strikes pedestrian

An elderly woman was propelled metres down a road after being hit by the driver of a quiet electric car, a court has heard.

The 84-year-old pedestrian was crossing at the junction between George Street and Stevenson Street in Oban when she was struck and suffered head and hand injuries on November 29 last year.

Fumiko Miller, 59, of 18 Rhuvaal Road, Oban, was driving and appeared at Oban Sheriff Court last week to plead guilty to careless driving.

She was fined £200 plus a £20 victim surcharge and had her licence endorsed with six penalty points.

The court heard how Miller, who is an ‘honest and reliable’ carer with Carr Gomm, had a clean driving licence and relied on her car for work.

She had been waiting and signalling to turn right when she was flashed to go ahead by a school mini-bus.

At the same time, the pedestrian set off at a brisk pace.

Miller drove into Stevenson Street but failed to see the woman. She still failed to react and the car continued in an arc direction colliding with a pavement and mounting it before coming back to stop on the road.

Members of the public came to help the injured woman and Miller stayed at the scene, fully co-operating with police.

The court was told how Miller is a friend of the woman’s daughter and had apologised.

Sheriff Patrick Hughes told Miller: ‘It was an accident from a momentary inattention on your part but it’s a serious matter.

‘Someone was knocked down on the street.

‘It’s important drivers are aware of all road users at all times.’