Taxi driver travelling on WRONG SIDE of dual carriageway at ‘shocked’ police car handed ban

A taxi driver has been given an 18 month driving ban and an 18 month community order after driving the wrong way along a dual carriageway in Wiltshire in the direction of a ’shocked’ police patrol car.

It happened on 13 February when 35-year-old Mustaf Mursal from Holdon Close in Bedminster, was caught by PC Salmond who was in pursuit of a different car on the Cirencester to Cricklade stretch of the A419.

Mr Mursal was driving towards PC Salmond's car which made him take evasive action.

He was found guilty of dangerous driving and as well as an 18 month ban, Mr Mursal will have to do 120 hours of unpaid work, pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £95.

He will also have to take an extended retest when his disqualification ends.

PC Salmond said: "It’s quite a shock when you see someone coming towards you the wrong way down a dual carriageway whilst pursuing another vehicle.

"My training kicked in and I was able to take evasive action.

"I dread to think what would have happened if a newly qualified or less experienced driver was confronted by this.

"The fact that the person behind the wheel was a professional driver shocks me more.

"I just hope he takes the time during his driving ban to think about what he did and the consequences of his actions could have been a lot worse."