Joan Askew was baffled why she turned into an oncoming car, causing a three-car pile up at the junction of Raines Road and the A65 at Settle.

Skipton magistrates heard how the 60-year-old of South View, Rathmell, moved across the path of a Renault as she emerged from the central refuge to turn right.

There was a collision with her Mini Cooper, which went into a 180 degree spin, and the Renault which careered into a nearby wagon. Both cars were written off and the occupants of the Renault suffered whiplash injuries.

In a letter to the court, Askew pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention on April 10 and said she did not know why she failed to see the Renault and that she planned to get her eyes tested.

Magistrates fined her £150, ordered her to pay £45 court costs and a £15 victims surcharge.