Driver ‘too intoxicated’ for breathalyser and had empty vodka bottles …

A drunk driver was "too intoxicated" for a breathalyser and had empty vodka bottles in his car. Cambridgeshire[1] Constabulary spotted Daniel Routh sitting in his black Lexus facing oncoming traffic on Edison Bell Way in Huntingdon[2], just after 2pm on August 16.

The 50-year-old was "too intoxicated" to be able to provide a breath sample at the roadside and there were empty bottles of vodka in his vehicle. He was arrested and taken into custody where, at 3.45pm, he blew 131 microgrammes.

This is almost four times the legal limit of 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath. At Cambridge Magistrates’ Court[3] on Friday (October 27), Routh, of St Peter’s Road, St Albans, was given a 12-month community order.

He must carry out 120 hours of unpaid work after pleading guilty to drink driving. He was also disqualified from driving for two years and eight months.

PC Alan Stanford, from the Road Policing Team, said: “Routh was so intoxicated that he was barely able to stand or hold a conversation, let alone drive a car. There is absolutely no excuse for drink driving. It puts the lives of other road users at risk.

“This sentence now means he’ll be off the road for some time, and we hope he reflects on the seriousness of his actions and gets the help and support he needs."

Drink and drug driving can be reported through a dedicated, confidential hotline 0800 032 0845 which is available 24 hours a day.

References

  1. ^ Cambridgeshire (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)
  2. ^ Huntingdon (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)
  3. ^ Cambridge Magistrates’ Court (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)
  4. ^ Wisbech flat fire sees three treated by paramedics after emergency services called in early hours (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)
  5. ^ Peterborough bridge incident leaves man fighting for life after road closed for several hours (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)