Peebles doctor admits charge of dangerous driving
A doctor who admitted driving dangerously in the Borders has been fined a total of £1,425 and banned from the road for 12 months.
Peter Copp, from Peebles, was on his way to see a patient in Edinburgh when he attempted to overtake on a blind bend on the A703 - forcing a motorist travelling in the opposite direction to brake hard and mount the verge to avoid a collision.
Selkirk Sheriff Court today (Monday) heard police, following in an unmarked vehicle, reached speeds of up to 126mph in a 60mph limit as they attempted to catch up with him.
But the 61-year-old, who runs his own GP practice, was only stopped when his black Mercedes was held up by traffic in a 20mph zone in Eddleston.
The incident unfolded shortly after 9am on May 19th, this year.
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Copp, of Glen Road, Peebles, admitted driving at excessive speeds, performing unsafe overtaking manouveres and failing to maintain a safe distance to other road users.
However, a not guilty plea to a second charge of dangerous driving in another vehicle on the same road the following month was accepted by the Crown.
Passing sentence, Sheriff Joseph Platt described Copp's driving as "highly dangerous" but said he took into account his "very good driving record".
In addition to a fine of £1,350, Copp was also ordered to pay a £75 victim surcharge and will have to resit an extended driving test.
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