Dangerous driving charge

Gregor Whipps, who is 25, is also charged with driving while under the influence of drink or drugs.

It follows a road accident on the A68 north of Jedburgh on Thursday morning (June 9) when a 69-year-old female was seriously injured and had to be cut free from the wreckage of a Toyota Avensis.

The A68 road at Bonjedward was closed for several hours while a police accident investigation took place.

Whipps also faces two charges of failing to give breath tests.

He made no plea or declaration and his case was continued for further examination.

Whipps, from Berwick-upon-Tweed, was released on bail by Sheriff Derrick McIntyre.

There were two other road accidents on Borders roads this week.

A woman in her seventies had a lucky escape after her car turned on its side at the weekend.

The accident, which featured no other vehicles, occurred at around 9.30am on Sunday on the A6105, about half a mile outside Earlston, heading towards Gordon.

The fire service were called to the scene, and the car, a Suzuki Swift, was removed, with the road reopening just after 12 noon.

The driver was uninjured.

Earlier that morning, a nineteen-year-old woman was involved in an accident on the A698 near Nisbet, at the junction with the B6400.

The fire service attended the scene after it was called in at around 5.10am, and helped remove the driver from her car. She was taken to Borders General Hospital, with injuries that were described as “not life-threatening”. There are no police charges associated with this incident.

The latest road traffic acccidents on Borders roads came during Police Scotland’s annual crackdown on drink and drug driving.

The two week campaign combined high visibility patrols and roadside checks to catch those driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

Chief Superintendent Andy Edmonston, Head of Road Policing, said: “Even if you are just over the limit, you are still a drink driver in the eyes of the law – there is no grey area.”

He added:“This may affect your current and future employment and can have wider implications for other areas of your life including overseas travel.

“If you drink and drive, you won’t just spoil summer, the effects can last a lifetime.

“Our message is simple,” he concluded, “the best approach is none.”