A Dundee man caused a serious road accident by performing a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre on the A92 in Fife, a court has heard.
Karl Boeckeler (47), of Caldrum Street, was ordered to carry out 160 hours community service and was banned from driving for 14 months at Cupar Sheriff Court on Thursday after admitting driving his car dangerously between Parbroath and the Five Roads Roundabout on January 30 2011.
The court heard Boeckeler overtook vehicles contrary to road regulations after crossing the solid white line in the middle of the road.
Boeckeler’s car subsequently collided head-on with another vehicle, causing injury to himself and a woman in the other car.
The court heard that Boeckeler had been driving at a speed of 40mph in a 60mph zone for some time before deciding to overtake two vehicles at what he considered to be a ”safe and straight part of the road”.
He overtook the first car successfully but was then confronted with the solid white line.
The Crown said Boekeler had said in a statement that he ”figured it would be OK” to continue but misjudged the speed of the oncoming vehicle and crashed into it, forcing the other vehicle on to a verge.
The court heard that the female driver of the vehicle he collided with complained of chest, leg, abdominal and rib pain but once examined at Ninewells Hospital was found to have no fractures but ”a lot of bruising to the legs”.
Boeckeler also suffered injuries, including a cracked sternum, a cracked knee cap, deep cuts to both knees, bruising to his left arm and chest pain.
His lawyer said he accepted it had been a ”huge error of judgment” and his client was ”hugely remorseful of his actions”.
He added that, prior to the offence, Boeckeler had a good driving record and was usually ”a safe and competent driver”.
Sheriff Charles Macnair said: ”Drivers should overtake when it is safe to do so, certainly not when there is a solid white line approaching.
”There was an attempt to let you in once you had overtaken one car. However, for whatever reasons, that failed, resulting in a head-on collision, the consequences of which could have been disastrous.
”The other driver was extremely fortunate not to have suffered more serious injuries. I note you yourself suffered serious injuries but these were self-inflicted.”
Boeckeler was told that once his ban is over he must pass the extended driving test before being allowed to drive again.