29 February 2024 , 23:21
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This is the moment a drunk driver who was behind the wheel of a lorry was stopped by police and found to be more than four times the legal limit.
Ihar Shynkevich was driving the heavy goods vehicle along the M5 in Somerset when he was pulled over by Special Constable Danny Hopkins and Special Constable Kalvin Mackenzie on Monday, February 5. It came after a concerned member of the public rang 999 after spotting the 35-year-old driving erratically.
Dashcam footage from the pair shows the lorry, which was carrying more than 21 tonnes of cargo, swaying between lanes and narrowly avoiding another vehicle which joined the northbound carriageway at Junction 22. Shynkevich was given a roadside breath test and returned a worrying score.
He was arrested at Sedgemoor service station after failing the breath test and was subsequently charged with driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed alcohol limit. He appeared in court the next day and was sentenced to 19 weeks imprisonment, in addition to being disqualified from driving for 1163 days.
The driver was seen swaying in between lanes and nearly hitting another vehicle (Avon & Somerset Police)Roads Policing assistant inspector Stephen Whatley said: “Considering the size of Shynkevich’s vehicle, the weight of the load he was carrying and the manner of his driving on a busy stretch of carriageway, there could easily have been a major collision on the M5 that afternoon.
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“Fortunately, this was avoided and a dangerous driver has now been taken off the roads thanks to a report from a member of the public. Given the seriousness of the circumstances, a custodial sentence is appropriate and welcomed.”
So far in 2024, there have been 255 arrests for drink driving and 153 arrests for drug driving in Avon and Somerset, a total of 408 arrests in just over eight weeks. For comparison, 324 drivers were arrested during our annual winter operation to target drink and drug drivers, which ran during the month of December.
The driver was four times over the legal limit when tested roadside (Avon & Somerset Police)Chief Inspector Rob Cheeseman, head of roads policing, added: "The arrest data for the first eight weeks of 2024 shows that drink and drug driving remains a major problem on our roads, despite the well-known risks. It should also dispel the misconception that enforcement activity only goes on during the Christmas period when media attention peaks.
"To be clear: those who make the reckless choice to drink or drug drive, day or night, should expect to get caught. I would like to acknowledge the hard work of our teams – including the Special Constabulary, who volunteer their time – who are all working tirelessly to keep our roads safe.”
People can report suspected drink or drivers on the police's website, or they can call 101. Alternatively reports can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. If someone is currently driving under the influence of drink or drugs, always call 999.