A learner driver who smashed into an overpass on Dundee’s Kingsway causing £60,000 worth of damage has been sentenced to 12 months in jail.
John Duncan crashed his BMW into a pedestrian walkway at excessive speed while transporting two friends on January 21 this year.
The 23-year-old had only undergone six driving lessons and had no insurance when he collided with the structure.
At Dundee Sheriff Court on Tuesday, Duncan of Beauly Crescent, Dundee, was jailed for 12 months after pleading guilty to dangerous driving.
He will also serve a further five month term relating to a previous conviction.
During the hearing, the court was told Duncan’s actions had caused £60,000 worth of damage to the walkway which still remains out of use as a result.
Duncan’s defence solicitor Kris Gilmartin argued his client had been leading a productive life before personal issues resulted in him “going off the rails”.
He said: “For two weeks Mr Duncan could not be traced and this ended with this incident.
“Mr Duncan accepts this is a serious offence.
“He purchased the car with the intention of waiting, but the temptation became too great.
“It could have been much more serious for Mr Duncan, his passengers and for other people on the motorway.
“This has had a significant effect on Mr Duncan. He would not wish to go near a car in the future.”
Sheriff Alastair Brown condemned Duncan as “incompetent and over-confident”.
Sentencing Duncan to a year in prison, Sheriff Brown said both the safety of the public and the cost to the public purse were at the forefront of his mind when deciding on the length of term.
He said: “You had no business having anything to do with a car.
“This is going to cost the public £60,000 to repair.
“The absence of availability of the footbridge means pedestrians are having to try to cross the Kingsway at the carriageway.
“Your driving was extremely bad because you are incompetent and over-confident.
