Exhausted doctor fined for driving too slowly on A90

AN OVERWORKED GP has been fined for driving too slowly along the A90.

Exhausted locum Jing Liu, 33, caused congestion when he travelled home after a “non-stop” day of treating patients and making house calls.

Liu, who is due to begin work at a surgery in Newburgh, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to driving carelessly on the dual carriageway, near Glencarse, on June 3 last year.

He admitted driving his Nissan Juke without due care and attention, repeatedly overtaking vehicles and driving alongside them in the outside lane, causing an obstruction and preventing other vehicles from overtaking.

His solicitor told the court he was tired after dealing with around 60 patients earlier that day.

The court heard he drove along lane two of the 70mph stretch at around 50mph.

Fiscal depute Joanne Ritchie said: “Another vehicle, a Peugeot, came into lane two, behind the accused’s vehicle.

“The accused was encouraged to move over into lane one to let the vehicle pass.

“The accused did eventually pass the slow moving vehicle in lane one, and allow the other car to go pass.

“However, at a later stage, the accused overtook the Peugeot which had moved back into lane one.

“Again, he was seen travelling side-byside with another slow moving vehicle in lane one – their speed was down to about 40mph, preventing other vehicles from passing in lane two.

“Eventually, the accused’s vehicle increased its speed and sped off.”

She said a witness called police and Liu was traced at his home in Perth’s Glasgow Road a few days later.

She said: “He identified himself to officers as the driver, was then cautioned and charged with careless driving and made no reply.”

Solicitor Steven Farmer, defending, said: “Dr Liu was working on shifts and was effectively on call all the time.

“He had seen between 50 and 60 patients during the course of the day and made numerous house calls – this happened when he was driving home.”

Liu was fined £450 and had four penalty points added to his licence.

GP Jing Liu had finished a busy shift.