Police officers in the West Midlands encountered one of the most dangerously intoxicated drivers on record after a motorist provided a breathalyser reading a staggering fifteen times over the legal drink-drive limit.
A Record-Breaking and Dangerous Reading
The incident, which occurred in Staffordshire, saw the individual blow an almost unbelievable 535 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit in England and Wales is just 35 micrograms. Medical experts suggest a reading of this magnitude could be enough to render many people unconscious, highlighting the extreme peril the driver posed to themselves and others on the road.
This shocking case represents the highest figure recorded by any English police force over the Christmas periods of 2022, 2023, and 2024. The data, obtained by motoring firm cinch, underscores the severe risks present on UK roads during the festive season.
Festive Period Enforcement and Widespread Offending
The statistics reveal a deeply concerning trend. Across the last three Decembers, approximately one in every ten motorists stopped and tested by police was found to be over the legal alcohol limit. This suggests drink-driving remains a prevalent and dangerous issue at this time of year.
In response, police forces are increasing their roadside presence. More officers will be conducting stops over the coming weeks in a concerted effort to deter and catch those who risk lives by drinking and driving.
Calls for Review Amidst Extreme Cases
Ben Welham, motoring editor at cinch, commented on the findings. He stated: "Christmas is a critical period for drink-drive testing, and the data shows police are carrying out large volumes of roadside stops during the festive season to prevent harm."
"However, even with this level of enforcement, significant numbers of drivers are still being caught over the legal limit, sometimes at extremely high levels," he added.
Welham also pointed to potential policy reviews, noting: "Looking at approaches elsewhere, including Scotland’s lower alcohol limit threshold and zero-tolerance policies in other parts of Europe, it’s reasonable to ask whether clearer, simpler rules and messaging could help further reduce risk on the roads."
The driver involved in this extreme Staffordshire case faces almost certain disqualification from driving due to the egregious nature of the offence, serving as a stark warning about the consequences of drink-driving.
