Harry Duke, of Rue de la Grande Maison, St Peter’s, admitted using a vehicle that was in a dangerous condition.
The court was told how he had been driving in an easterly direction along Route de Pleinmont, Torteval, at about 10am.
Due to the misted windscreen, he failed to see two vehicles that were parked on his side of the road until very late and when he swerved right to avoid them his blue Ford B Max collided with a car that was coming in the opposite direction. One of the parked vehicles – a van – was pushed backwards, causing damage to a roadside wall.
In interview the defendant said he had not seen the parked vehicles and had swerved to avoid them when he collided with the oncoming car.
Defending Advocate Samuel Steel said this was not about risk-taking but an error of poor judgment on his client’s part. There had been no aggressive driving and he had put his hands to what he had done at the first opportunity. He had no previous convictions.
Judge Gary Perry said this incident, of itself, was potentially dangerous.
It was not unusual for people to drive vehicles with the windscreens steamed up, but this incident should provide a lesson to all and people needed to be aware of the consequences that could result.
He was though, sentencing for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition and not dangerous driving. Mr Duke was fined £750 and there would be no licence suspension.