A COURT has heard how an oblivious motorist drove the wrong way in darkness along the M6.
Stunned oncoming northbound drivers took desperate measures to avoid Samantha McClelland as she travelled south on the same carriageway near Kendal.
A host of panicked 999 calls were made before 43-year-old McClelland was found parked up on the hard shoulder a short time later.
She went on to admit a dangerous driving charge and was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court.
When spoken to by police McClelland had "no idea where she was and seemed surprised to be told she was on a motorway", the court was told.
No collisions occurred, and defence solicitor Lucy Wright said the defendant was sorry for what had been a "catastrophic driving error".
McClelland, of Londonderry, Northern Ireland, was given a suspended prison sentence and banned from the road for 18 months.
Recorder Michael Murray told her: "It really was an exceptionally dangerous piece of driving which could have easily had terrible, fatal consequences."
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