Transit Connect Cargo Van

Make
Ford
Segment
Van

Driving while under the influence of alcohol is never a good idea, doing it while going the wrong direction down the motorway is absolutely insane. The Thames Valley police in England were confronted with just such a scenario this past Saturday as a man was caught driving down the M4 near Reading going the wrong way.

Thankfully traffic was thin as the incident took place at 11:30 pm, but had the police not intervened, it could quite possibly have resulted in a serious accident.

The video footage shows the red Citroen Berlingo van, (it's like a crappy version of a Ford Transit Connect) being intercepted by a police car as it cruised along in the slow lane. The driver skidded out of the way at the last minute and came to a stop on the opposite side of the road, whereupon the police car quickly did a U-turn and pulled up alongside. Once the guy was arrested, he was found to be almost four times over the drink-drive limit.

The maximum allowable Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) in England is currently 0.08% and driving drunk can land you in jail for up to six months as well as get you a fine of up to $6,300. That is if it is your first offense, do it again and things get a whole lot worse.

The maximum legal limit in the US is state dependent but in general, it varies between 0.08% and 0.05% BAC. The penalty once convicted differs state by state too, but rest assured it is far preferable to just avoid the whole issue and nominate a designated driver or use a ride-sharing service.

The roads are dangerous enough without adding drunk drivers into the mix. Let's stay safe on the roads this festive season, and remember, you may think you are fine to drive after a few drinks but that will be of little use if you are convicted.