Woman who drove carelessly was late for friend's wedding

A WOMAN drove at excessive speed, tailgateing other vehicles and using her mobile phone because she was running late for a friend's wedding.

Jane Baillie, 32, drove through streets in Edinburgh at high speed and a police mobile patrol eventually stopped her vehicle on the A1 near Tranent after recording her averaging 91.28 mph over a third of a mile stretch.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, Baillie was fined 300 and had seven penalty points added to her licence after pleading guilty to driving without due care and attention on August 6 this year.

At 2.20pm, police on mobile patrol saw Baillie's Audi in Leith Street tailgateing another vehicle and doing in excess of 40 mph.

They followed as she drove towards the A1 still tailgateing and braking sharply. When she reached the Al she went on her mobile phone and drove at over 60 mph in the 50 mph area, still talking on the phone. On the 70 mph road she was driving aggressively at over 80 mph and when the following police car carried out a speed check they recorded the 91.28 mph average.

Defence solicitor, Graeme Runcie, said Baillie of Colliston, Perth, drove 30,000 miles a year and had one previous road traffic conviction some 18 months ago with three penalty points on her licence. She was supposed to be off work on the day of the incident and going to a friend's wedding at 2.30 in the afternoon.

Her employers, however, had called her at the "last minute" to carry out several appointments. She was trying to get to Haddington to collect her fiance and go to the wedding, which she missed.

Mr Runcie said disqualification would have a serious effect on Baillie.

She was due to get married next Friday and the matrimonial home would be in Berwickshire, some distance from public transport. She would also be assisting her future husband with his business which would involve travelling.

Sheriff Elizabeth Jarvie QC told Baillie she was lucky The Crown had accepted a plea to careless driving, not dangerous. The Sheriff added that by adding seven penalty points that meant Baillie had a total of 10 points on her licence so she could not afford any more traffic offences.