Drunk man drove through Scone 'on three wheels'

John Fyfe will have to retake his driving test before he can drive again

A 73-year-old man was so drunk he kept driving even after his wheel blew out, waving at concerned motorists who tried to flag him down, a court has heard.

John Fyfe was nearly three times over the limit and drove until his axle collapsed after the tyre blow-out.

The engineer was banned from driving and was told he must stay off the road until he retakes his driving test.

A sheriff also fined him £700 after he admitted drink driving in Scone in November 2010.

Perth Sheriff Court heard that he drove on three wheels for several miles on the dual carriageway A90 between Dundee and Perth in the early hours of the morning.

Instead of stopping when he was flashed and waved at by concerned motorists, the salesman, from Scone, thought they were being friendly and waved back at them.

'Spraying debris'

Fiscal depute Charmaine Cole said: "Other motorists noticed he was driving with no tyre on the front offside wheel. There had been a small puncture and it had blown out... but he continued driving.

"Other motorists tried to get his attention to make him aware of the condition his car was in. He did acknowledge the motorists but continued to drive.

"At that point they observed the front offside wheel explode, spraying debris across the road, and causing the car to fall onto its front axle and grind to a halt."

Ms Cole said police arrived as Fyfe was trying to get the spare wheel out of the boot of his car.

His breath tested positive for alcohol after a roadside test, she said.

Solicitor Steve Lafferty, defending, told the court his client had no record and had been driving for 50 years.

He added: "At the time he was separated from his wife and was drinking to escape his depression.

"He had gone to Perth and taken alcohol. He struggled to get a taxi and it was very cold so he took a risk and drove to his home. It was three miles or so."

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis said: "It is a shame when someone of your age comes before the court at this stage in life and on the face of it you are in pretty good nick for your age.

"But I have got to look at other issues. It is appropriate to disqualify you for 18 months and bearing in mind what age you will be at that stage it is appropriate you re-sit the driving test to ensure you are able to drive safely."