Policeman fined £600 after crash into traffic lights

Court: Points on licence for ‘embarrassed’ officer

DAMAGE: The patrol car hit the lights in front of Perth’s police headquarters on Barrack Street on May 1

A police officer crashed into a set of traffic lights outside his headquarters – while overtaking a colleague on his push bike.

PC Mark Chance caused thousands of pounds worth of damage when he crashed the patrol car into the lights in front of Perth’s police headquarters.

The 25-year-old previously admitted a careless driving charge and has now been sentenced.

He was fined £600 and had six penalty points added to his licence.

Last night, a police spokesman 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.”

Perth Sheriff Court was shown footage of Chance driving straight into the traffic lights on Barrack Street on May 1.

Chance admitted driving in the middle of the road to overtake fellow officer Greig Farmer, who was cycling home from work, without taking the pedestrian crossing and road markings into account.

Defence solicitor Gary

McIlravey told the court: “It’s like the Titanic sailing inexorably towards the iceberg. I can’t explain it any better than that.

“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. It has not affected his career.

“He has undertaken a driving refresher course and been given certain retraining by the police.

“He 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 said the incident was at the “higher end of the range” of careless driving, but took into account his public service, good character and clean driving licence when deciding not to disqualify him.