Bus brought to a halt by road rage driver
A road rage car driver forced a service bus with passengers on board to stop by slamming on his brakes in front of it.
The bus driver had to hit his brakes to avoid a collision because of the hot head antics of Mitchell McPherson.
McPherson, whose pregnant girlfriend was in the front passenger’s seat, became incensed believing a bus had cut in front of him at traffic lights in Dunfermline.
He then caused danger to motorists coming in the opposing direction by his dangerous driving.
The incident resulted in McPherson (29), of Upper Mill Street, Tillicoultry, appearing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.
He admitted that on 2nd March on Halbeath Road, Dunfermline, he drove dangerously by straddling the centre line causing oncoming traffic to take evasive action.
He overtook a public service bus carrying passengers when it was unsafe to do so and braked sharply in front of the bus, causing the driver to take evasive action to avoid a collision.
Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said the bus and McPherson’s car were side by side at traffic lights heading east in Appin Crescent.
She went on, “Just after the lights, the two lanes merge into one. The accused pulled out and tried to go in front of the bus but couldn’t. He then straddled two lanes, flashing his lights at the bus driver upset that couldn’t pass.
“Further along the road, he overtook the bus then braked. The bus driver had to brake sharply to avoid a collision. Police were called.”
The court was told that McPherson works as a scaffolder/driver but was likely to lose his job as a result of this case.
Sheriff Richard McFarlane said, “I can’t understand what you thought you were going to achieve by stopping the bus.
“This incident has all the hallmarks of what is not encouraged. Courtesy on our roads in the starting point.”
McPherson was fined £800. He was also disqualified from driving for a year and will have to pass the extended test before he can drive again.
