Pensioner drove four miles down wrong side of A1

The man drove four miles down the wrong side of the A1. Picture: TSPL

A CONFUSED pensioner who caused mayhem on one of Scotland's busiest roads when he drove on the wrong side of the carriageway has been banned from driving.

John Martin took a wrong exit at a roundabout and headed south on the northbound carriageway of the A1 for four miles before he managed to finally pull over.

Martin, 86, forced startled car drivers to take evasive action on the busy road in a bid not to collide with the OAP’s motor.

The octogenarian finally came to a stop in a lay by near to Haddington, East Lothian, at 11.30pm on October 10 last year.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told there was “a significant amount of traffic at the time” and Martin, from North Berwick, had to be taken home by police afterwards.

The pensioner pleaded guilty to driving dangerously on the wrong side of the carriageway during an appearance at court yesterday. Sheriff Frank Crowe said: “You have had a very good driving record up to now but this is a very unfortunate error that was potentially very dangerous.” Martin was banned from the road for 12 months.