A Clydebank man who narrowly avoided a collision on Great Western Road has been banned from driving for more than three years.

John Hart, of Whin Street, pleaded guilty when he appeared on an undertaking at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on November 28.

The 52-year-old admitted to driving on the A82, Great Western Road, without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration of other persons. He failed to maintain a proper lane discipline causing his vehicle to swerve across lanes.

He failed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of him, forcing him to make an emergency stop to avoid a collision.

Hart then failed to provide two specimens of breath at Clydebank police office.

A plea of not guilty was accepted on a third charge of failing to provide a preliminary breath specimen at the scene.

Fiscal depute Megan Dow told the court that police were on patrol around 3.45pm when they got a call about a car in the Glasgow area driving in an erratic manner.

Around 4pm, police were westbound on Great Western Road near the junction with Kilbowie Road and saw Hart drifting over the lanes and narrowly avoiding a collision.

The driver then had to perform an emergency stop to avoid a crash with the vehicle in front.

Officers eventually managed to get Hart to pull over and they asked him if he had consumed alcohol. He denied drinking, but they could detect a strong smell of alcohol and his eyes were glazed and speech slurred.

Hart was arrested and taken to Clydebank police office where he twice refused to give a specimen of breath.

Defence solicitor Brian McGuire said his client worked for a motor vehicle agency but would not lose his job.

Hart had been on extended leave from his work because of mental health issues. He returned on the day of the offences but was struggling to cope and left early.

He was on his way home and "took drink", which he had been using as a way to deal with his difficulties.

Mr McGuire said: "He has had such a fright from this he has not had a drink since.

"He is working with his GP and local addictions team."

Sheriff Mungo Bovey KC noted that this was Hart's second analogous offence.

He said: "I'm very concerned you're driving was so badly affected as to constitute the charge."

Hart was disqualified from driving for 40 months but can reduce that by four months if he completes a drink driving rehabilitation course.

He was also fined £1,000 plus a £40 victim surcharge.