A man — who drove while almost six times the legal limit — crashed his vehicle after overtaking at speed then failed to negotiate a corner, causing the it to overturn and block the road.
Steven Gardiner, 29, of Newport, admitted that on November 19, on the A19 St Michaels to Forgan Roundabout road, he drove with excess alcohol (122 mics).
Depute fiscal Claire Rowan told Dundee Sheriff Court the accused’s vehicle was seen by other drivers to be overtaking other vehicles at speed.
She explained he was then seen to try to negotiate a right-hand turn but crashed the car.
The vehicle then flipped on to its roof, blocking the road and causing “substantial damage” to the carriageway.
The fiscal added the accused was in the car by himself.
She told the court another driver, who assisted the accused out of the vehicle, noticed a strong smell of alcohol on his breath.
Ms Rowan continued: “When police got there, the accused’s car was on its roof and there was substantial damage to the carriageway.
“When officers spoke to him, his speech was slurred and he smelled of alcohol.”
She said he told officers: “I lost control when I came round this corner.
“I touched the side and the next thing it goes over.”
Solicitor Gary McIlravey told the court Gardiner could offer no explanation as to why he had driven his car.
He added: “He had been out drinking in Leuchars and had intended leaving his car, but in a moment of complete and utter irrationality he reversed that decision and drove the car.
“He accepts it could have been a lot worse.”
Sheriff Alison McKay told Gardiner: “You could have been injured and others could have been injured.
“You are very lucky that was not the case.”
Sheriff McKay fined Gardiner £1,000 and disqualified him for two years, granting him leave to apply to the Vernon Mansfield drink drivers rehabilitation course.
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